Not wanting a mistake this time, the Chief Executive vowed to pour over the shortlist of officers from which he would pick his next PNP chieft.

As calls snowball for Malacañang to name the new Philippine National Police (PNP) chief, President Rodrigo Duterte on Wednesday said he still needs more time before he picks the rightful officer who will be tasked to put the organization back in order.

Not wanting to make a mistake this time, the Chief Executive vowed to pore over the shortlist of officers from which he would pick his next PNP chief to succeed resigned Gen. Oscar Albayalde, whose name was tagged in the “ninja cops” controversy.

Whoever the President chooses will be on top of the 185,000-strong police organization, which of late has been under fire over issues of pilfering seized drugs from narcotics suspects and other concerns related to abuses and corruption.

“I’m trying to review everybody’s record and I need time. That’s why I lack sleep because I read them, even with the initials of the big guys here,” Mr. Duterte said in a television interview. “You know sometimes, they have initials which means approved. But I read them.”

Three top PNP officials are reportedly in the shortlist, but President Duterte said he is not sure about them.

Those said to be up for consideration are Lt. Gen. Camilo Cascolan (Deputy Chief for Operations), Maj. Gen. Guillermo Eleazar (Chief of Directorial Staff) and Lt. Gen. Francisco Gamboa (Deputy Chief for Administration and the current PNP Officer-in-Charge.)

According to the President, he is thinking of a wider choice and that his only demand from the next PNP leader would be his honesty.

He reiterated that even if the candidate is not that bright, for as long as he is honest, he will be chosen for the job.

“I am not sure about the three. I should have a wider choice, but you can be assured — and to all of the Filipino people — my only consideration, the only standard, the only thing that I would ask from the next PNP chief is honesty,” Duterte said.

“Even if you are not that bright, you are number one in class in the PNPA (Philippine National Police Academy) or with the PMA (Philippine Military Academy), even if you are the goat of the class, but if you are the honest guy, I will go for you,” he said.

“If you have a slight a dent in your reputation, you’re done. Out!” the President reiterated.

He also admitted that Albayalde’s experience, after he was linked to the “ninja cops” issue, is also guiding him on his selection.

“Yes, I’ve considered that, the behavior and actuations of all (cops with) past cases in the PNP,” he said. “I saw it, but I like to dig into the records. You know I hate drugs, not against a person, but against drugs,” Duterte said.

PNP spokesman Brig. Gen. Bernard Banac, however, said police officers are hopeful the President would announce his appointment soon.

Although law enforcement operations and other programs continue under the watch of OIC Gamboa, having a permanent leader would give more stability and normalcy to the force, he said.

“In the coming months, if he is going to stay as officer-in-charge, it’s going to have an effect on big projects of the PNP. We’re hoping anytime soon the President would name a new chief PNP,” Banac said.

The President is expected to name Albayalde’s successor before he leaves for the ASEAN Summit in Bangkok, Thailand this week.

Without a formal announcement, Gamboa will continue calling the shots in the PNP as provided by his duties and responsibilities crafted by the National Police Commission and the Department of the Interior and Local Government.

“For the meantime, the management and supervision of the entire Philippine National Police, the OIC General Gamboa is doing well and he’s performing. In fact, he conducted a revamp already and designated some officials on top positions and he’s on top of the situation,” Banac stated.