Torre ‘rewarded’ as next PNP chief: Guevarra, De Vera out; Remullas stay

President Ferdinand Marcos Jr. continued on Thursday what is being seen as the “carrot-and-stick” reorganization of his administration following the lackluster performance of his candidates in the 2025 midterm elections.

Executive Secretary Lucas Bersamin yesterday announced the appointment of Police Maj. Gen. Nicolas Torre III as the next chief of the Philippine National Police (PNP), succeeding Gen. Rommel Marbil.

Torre, currently head of the Criminal Investigation and Detection Group (CIDG), will be the first graduate of the Philippine National Police Academy (PNPA) to ascend to the top PNP post.

His leadership in high-profile cases, including the arrest of Kingdom of Jesus Christ leader Apollo Quiboloy and the extradition to The Hague of former President Rodrigo Duterte, was seen as contributing to his appointment.

Addressing questions on why Torre was promoted over at least three senior PNP officials, Bersamin emphasized that Torre’s promotion to four-star general reflected the President’s confidence in his capabilities.

“All promotions are a reward, but most promotions are given on merit,” Bersamin stated.

He noted that President Marcos had considered five candidates for the top PNP position, ultimately selecting Torre based on a comprehensive assessment of his qualifications. Bersamin said Marcos always demanded performance.

“Anything that is asked of you, you must exhibit a high level of performance for, so maybe that is one. I am not going to discount that, but there may be other qualities of General Torre that he might have considered in comparison to the qualities of the others who were not given this responsibility,” Bersamin said.

The appointment has garnered support from various quarters.

Interior Secretary Jonvic Remulla expressed his full backing, stating, “We are confident his leadership will drive transformation, innovation, and strengthen the PNP’s mandate to serve and protect.”

The DILG chief’s resignation, along with those of his elder brother, Justice Secretary Jesus Crispin Remulla, and Defense Secretary Gilberto Teodoro, was not accepted by the President, Bersamin said.

Similarly, Speaker Martin Romualdez lauded Torre as a “principled and fearless officer” capable of restoring credibility and enforcing the law impartially.”

Bersamin said the President also accepted the resignation of Solicitor General Menardo Guevarra, appointing Darlene Marie Berberabe in his stead.

Berberabe, the erstwhile dean of the University of the Philippines College of Law, brings extensive legal and managerial experience to the Office of the Solicitor General.

In reaction, Guevarra remarked, “Maybe it’s time to go back to a quiet and peaceful private life.”

Guevarra’s departure was seen as an offshoot of his refusal to represent the Philippine government before the International Criminal Court (ICC) which is trying Duterte at The Hague.

Commission on Higher Education (CHEd) Chairperson Prospero de Vera III’s resignation was also accepted before the end of his term in 2026. Shirley Agrupis, previously the president of Mariano Marcos State University, has been appointed the new CHEd chairperson.

De Vera expressed gratitude for the opportunity to have served and extended his congratulations to Agrupis.

Last week, the resignation of Environment Secretary Maria Antonia Yulo-Loyzaga was accepted, with Energy Secretary Raphael Lotilla designated to take her place.

While Bersamin clarified that there were no corruption issues involving Yulo-Loyzaga, he acknowledged perceptions regarding her frequent travels abroad.

“There is no issue of corruption involving Secretary Loyzaga. Maybe there’s just a perception... that she was often out of the country,” he said.

The reshuffle extended to other agencies, with Philippine Amusement and Gaming Corporation (Pagcor) Chairman Alejandro Tengco and the entire board submitting their courtesy resignations to facilitate the President’s reorganization efforts.

Similarly, Government Service Insurance System (GSIS) President and General Manager Jose Arnulfo “Wick” Veloso submitted his resignation, expressing support for the administration’s goals and readiness to serve in any other capacity.

According to her profile on the University of the Philippines-Diliman website, Berberabe graduated summa cum laude with a degree of Bachelor of Arts in Philosophy in 1989. She was also the class valedictorian.

She also obtained a Master’s degree in Philosophy in 1995 prior to pursuing law. The new Solicitor General received her law degree in 1999 and was the class salutatorian.

In 2010, Bernabe was appointed CEO of the Pag-IBIG Fund. Bersamin said Bernabe was found to have transformational leadership, good governance, integrity, and excellence.

“Her strong philosophy background will help her use the wisdom and the ethical leadership she has gained from deep reflection and rigorous study to competently perform her tasks as the Solicitor General,” he said.

Meanwhile, the fate of National Security Adviser Eduardo Año rests with Marcos as his resignation letter was sent directly to the President.

Bersamin said it was up to the President whether to let him carry on as NSA or not.

The heads and senior officials of government-owned and controlled corporations were also asked to resign as part of the government revamp.

“Each resignation accepted is based on a careful assessment of whether the standards set by the President for efficiency and leadership have been met. Some have delivered, others have not,” he said.

Bersamin said the Governance Commission for Government-Owned or Controlled Corporations (GCG) will manage the submission of courtesy resignations.

“The GCG actually is on top of the situation — it has issued a memorandum. And although that memorandum said the GOCC resignations should go through us, we will make it clear to the GCG that only the heads of the agencies, the resignation of the heads of agencies should be reviewed by us,” he said.

Even if asked to resign, Bersamin said GOCC leaders will still continue with their duties in public service and it will have no impact on daily operations.

“Well, there is no appreciable impact, negative at that, because all these people who offered their courtesy resignations are expected to continue performing their functions, discharging their duties until their replacements have been appointed. And that is expected of all public servants, no one abandons their job because that is part of the obligation of a public servant,” he said.

He noted that the stability of policies will continue.

“Policy directions have been issued to these offices by the President and the governing or the supervising Cabinet secretaries so there is a clear path for all of them to follow and to traverse,” he said.