President Ferdinand Marcos Jr. has extended Philippine National Police Chief General Benjamin Acorda Jr.'s tour of service until March 2024, Malacañang announced on Monday.

Mr. Marcos informed Interior Secretary Benjamin Abajos Jr. of the extension of Acorda's service in a transmittal letter signed by Executive Secretary Lucas Bersamin dated 1 December 2023.

"I wish to inform you that, pursuant to the provisions of existing laws, your service as Chief (Police General), Philippine National Police, is hereby extended until 31 March 2024," the letter read.

The Office of the President referred to Executive Order 136, series of 1999, acknowledging the President's authority to extend the service of presidential appointees beyond the mandatory retirement age for exceptional and commendable reasons as the basis for extending Acorda's tenure.

During the flag ceremony at Camp Crame in Quezon City, Acorda, who had reached the compulsory retirement age of 56, thanked Marcos for extending his tour of service to next year.

"I would like to express my deepest gratitude to our President, Ferdinand Romualdez Marcos Jr. I am truly honored and humbled by his continued trust and confidence in my capabilities," he said.

Acorda has spearheaded the PNP's efforts for a more efficient police force, emphasizing aspects like personnel morale and welfare, community engagement, integrity enhancement, ICT development, and honest law enforcement operations.

Marcos appointed Acorda the 29th chief of the national police force during a change of command ceremony at Camp Crame on 24 April 2023. He succeeded the first Chief PNP of the Marcos administration, General Rodolfo Azurin Jr. (ret.).

A member of Philippine Military Academy Sambisig Class of 1991, Acorda boasts nearly 37 years of service in the PNP, previously holding the position of director of the PNP Directorate for Intelligence before assuming the top post.