President Ferdinand Marcos Jr. has extended the service of Philippine National Police (PNP) chief, Police General Benjamin Acorda Jr., until March 2024, Malacañang said on Monday.
In a statement, Malacañang said Marcos had informed Department of Interior and Local Government (DILG) Secretary Benjamin Abajos Jr. regarding Acorda's extension of 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.
Despite reaching the compulsory retirement age of 56 for PNP personnel, Marcos reappointed Acorda as the top PNP chief on 3 December 2023.
The Office of the President referred to Executive Order No. 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 a basis for extending Acorda's tenure.
During the flag ceremony in Camp Crame, Acorda thanked Marcos for extending his service until 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 capability," he said.
Acorda has spearheaded the PNP's efforts toward enhancing a more efficient police force, emphasizing aspects like Personnel Morale and Welfare, Community Engagement, Integrity Enhancement, ICT Development, and Honest Law Enforcement Operations.
Marcos assigned Acorda as the 29th top official of the country's police force during the change of command ceremony at Camp Crame, Quezon City on 24 April 2023.
A graduate of the Philippine Military Academy Sambisig Class of 1991, Acorda boasts nearly 37 years of service in the PNP, previously holding the position of director in the PNP Directorate for Intelligence before assuming the role of PNP Chief.
