Awaiting retirement benefits, other claims

Awaiting retirement benefits, other claims | Daily Tribune

A senior commissioned officer of the Philippine National Police (PNP) is awaiting the completion of purely ministerial actions at the Department of the Interior and Local Government (DILG) following his final and approved retirement, special promotions, awards and related claims.

According to official records, the Decision and Order dated 9 December 2022 issued during the tenure of DILG Secretary Benjamin “Benhur” Abalos Jr. approving the retirement of Police Director General Roger Castañeda Dy Jr. had long been final and executory.

The decision, orders and directives covered the updating of service records, the confirmation of previously approved special promotions and Medals of Valor, and the processing of corresponding benefits and retirement entitlements.

All substantive issues and merits of the case had been fully resolved, and the required endorsements and supporting documents had been completed, verified and vetted through multiple oversight and review mechanisms. These records had been officially submitted, received, registered and logged with all offices and agencies concerned with the processing and implementation of the approved Decision.

In addition, the required sworn statements (affidavits) had been executed and submitted, including the affidavits of key witnesses as well as the personal affidavit of the former official himself, in accordance with applicable procedural and documentary requirements of the offices concerned.

What remains pending for release are purely ministerial actions at the DILG level, specifically the issuance of the Certified True Copy (CTC), the adoption or implementing directives, and the official transmittal necessary for the full execution of the Decision by the implementing agencies concerned.

Records further indicated that there were no legal, administrative, audit-related, integrity-related, or human-rights-related impediments to the implementation of the approved Decision.

The senior police official’s name was cleared and unencumbered with the following institutions and oversight bodies like the Commission on Audit, Office of the Ombudsman/MOLEO, Civil Service Commission, PNP Internal Affairs Service, Anti-Corruption/Inter-Agency vetting mechanisms, Anti-Red Tape Authority and the National Bureau of Investigation.

The official further noted that the Decision and its implementing requirements had undergone a compliance review and validation across several administrations, including endorsements and confirmations from the PNP units, Napolcom and DILG offices concerned. At the substantive level, the matter has been acknowledged within the DILG, leaving only the administrative execution of ministerial requirements.

Observers noted that the prolonged delay — spanning several administrations — now hinges solely on ministerial implementation, underscoring the importance of timely action to finally conclude an already approved, fully vetted and officially registered matter, in accordance with due process, good governance, administrative accountability, human rights standards and the rule of law.

The former officer reiterated his respect for institutional processes and expressed the hope the remaining ministerial steps would be completed in due course.