ex-PNP Chief Benjamin Acorda Jr. sworn in as PAOCC chief

Retired police chief Benjamin Acorda Jr. was sworn in to his new duties as the leader of the Presidential Anti-Organized Crime Commission (PAOCC) on Thursday, 16 October 2025. 

President Ferdinand Marcos Jr. led the oath taking ceremony in Malacañang Palace, a day after he announced the latest leadership change at the PAOCC.

Acorda will hold the title of Executive Director with the rank of Undersecretary.

The new PAOCC Chief served as the 29^th chief of the Philippine National Police (PNP) from April 2023 to April 2024.

Prior to his leadership tenure of the PNP, Acorda served as the agency’s Director of Intelligence from August 2022 to April 2023. He was also the Regional Director of Police Regional Office X (Northern Mindanao) from November 2021 to August 2022.

Among Acorda’s distinguished career in the PNP include titles of Deputy Regional Director for the National Capital Region Police Office, Director of the Integrity Monitoring and Enforcement Group, Chief of Staff of the Civil Security Group, and Chief of the Anti-Fraud and Commercial Crimes Division.

With the same assignment and a different title, Acorda is familiar to his new duties but this time will face a bigger mission, to run after those individuals who are engaged in organized crime which has grown throughout the years, beginning with the remnants of the Philippine Offshore Gaming Operations (POGO).

Established by virtue of Executive Order No. 295, series of 2000, the PAOCC is mandated to investigate and prosecute criminal syndicates and corrupt officials its functions include conducting intelligence operations and developing anti-crime action plans.

Acorda replaced Gilbert Cruz who took office in January 2023.