Daily Tribune
METROPOLITAN Manila Development Authority general manager Nicolas Torre III (left) joins Valenzuela Mayor Wes Gatchalian (right) in overseeing the removing of water hyacinth, garbage and silt to help mitigate flooding at the Bayanihan sa Estero at the Kalabingkoho River in Barangay Malanday, Valenzuela City.
Photograph by Analy Labor for DAILY TRIBUNE
Metropolitan Manila Development Authority (MMDA) general manager Nicolas Torre III and the national government have settled a misunderstanding regarding his retirement from the police service, Malacañang said Thursday.
The clarification follows a confusing series of events in which Torre, a former Philippine National Police (PNP) chief, initially denied filing for optional retirement despite a PNP general order stating otherwise.
Speaking to reporters during an inspection of the “Bayanihan sa Estero” program in Barangay Malanday, Torre maintained he had not signed a retirement application.
However, Undersecretary Claire Castro later confirmed the issue had been resolved following a meeting with Torre.
“General Torre accepted it,” Castro told reporters during a Thursday briefing. “Because he accepted this position at the MMDA, he knew what could happen. He will receive full benefits and emoluments as a four-star general.”
The confusion stemmed from a PNP general order released Wednesday, based on a 19 January National Police Commission (Napolcom) resolution where it stated that Torre optionally retired effective 26 December 2025.
Under Republic Act 6975, voluntary retirement usually requires a request from the officer. Torre is 55, one year shy of the mandatory retirement age of 56.
By finalizing the retirement, the path is now clear for acting PNP Chief Lt. Gen. Jose Melencio Nartatez Jr. to be promoted to the four-star rank of police general.
Torre’s career has seen rapid shifts over the past year. He was appointed PNP chief in May 2025 but was relieved three months later following a disagreement with Napolcom over personnel reassignments.
