Former Philippine National Police (PNP) Chief and Senate President Pro Tempore Panfilo “Ping” Lacson underscored that leadership by example is the cornerstone of maintaining discipline within the police force.

In a press briefing, Lacson emphasized that a PNP Chief who refrains from corruption or criminal behavior has the moral authority to demand the same from their personnel.

“When I was Chief PNP, I had only one baseline – leadership by example. If the Chief PNP does not extort or engage in crime, he has the moral authority to tell his men to follow his example,” Lacson told Senate reporters.

The former police chief made the remarks amid a series of recent incidents involving police personnel, including a rape case in Cebu, a stabbing of a fellow officer at Camp Crame, and a Negros Oriental policeman who killed three colleagues and a civilian in a restaurant-bar.

Citing his tenure as PNP Chief from 1999 to 2001, Lacson credited his “lead by example” approach with cleansing the police force of rogue officers and boosting public trust and approval.

Lacson expressed confidence that acting PNP Chief P/Lt. Gen. Jose Melencio Nartatez Jr., in coordination with Interior Secretary Juanito Victor “Jonvic” Remulla, will work to discipline what he called the ICU – Inept, Corrupt, and Undisciplined – members of the police force.

“Nartatez knows my style as Chief PNP. I hope he, with the help of the DILG secretary, will discipline the police,” Lacson added.

He also announced plans to file legislation aimed at strengthening the PNP’s Internal Affairs Service (IAS) by making it independent from the police hierarchy and granting it greater authority to act against rogue officers.

“The IAS must be separate from the PNP and have more teeth and more power. For now, it seems to be an adjunct of the PNP and is not truly independent," he said.

Nartatez earlier vowed an impartial investigation into a rape complaint filed against the accusedpolice officer.

“Our foremost priority is the welfare of the victim. We will conduct a thorough and impartial investigation to uncover the truth and ensure that justice is served,” he said.