Dispute remains over Torre status

Dispute remains over Torre status | Daily Tribune

A former key National Bureau of Investigation official has pushed back against claims that former Philippine National Police (PNP) chief Gen. Nicolas Torre III has retired, arguing that his appointment to the Metropolitan Manila Development Authority (MMDA) is merely a case of “secondment,” a routine practice in government service.

In a blunt Facebook post, former NBI–National Capital Region director Ricardo Diaz explained that a secondment is the temporary detailing of officers to other agencies and has long been common in the PNP and the National Bureau of Investigation (NBI), allowing officers to retain their posts and salaries in their parent agencies.

Diaz criticized statements suggesting Torre’s MMDA role automatically meant retirement, calling for officials to be “educated” on secondment rules.

He further explained that seconded officers remain on the payroll of their original agency and receive only allowances or honoraria from the host agency.

“Meaning, General Nicolas Torre can be considered ‘seconded’ or temporarily detailed to MMDA as general manager but continues to be in the payroll of the PNP as a four-star general until his retirement,” Diaz said.

Not unique to Torre

Diaz added that he personally knew of senior PNP and NBI officers who had been assigned for years to agencies such as the Bureau of Immigration without losing their employment status.

Diaz’s view appears consistent with a 2024 Civil Service Commission memorandum, which defines secondment as a movement to another government-recognized body that “shall not affect the continuity of the employment” of the officer with the parent agency.

The CSC said secondment arrangements must be covered by a memorandum of agreement specifying salary, benefits, and duration.

Torre earlier denied retiring, saying he had not filed or signed any retirement papers.

He also stressed that it was not unusual for police officers to serve in other agencies, citing examples of high-ranking officers who spent years at the Bureau of Immigration before returning to the PNP.

Torre said he was awaiting instructions from President Ferdinand Marcos Jr. before making any decisions related to his retirement.

Palace Press Officer Claire Castro earlier said Torre agreed to relinquish his four-star rank to his predecessor, acting PNP chief Lt. Gen. Jose Melencio Nartatez Jr.

Castro said the matter had already been settled after she personally spoke with Torre, describing the issue as a “misunderstanding.”

“We were able to speak directly with General Torre, and it appears there may have simply been a minor misunderstanding,” Castro said during a Palace briefing on Thursday.

She stressed that President Ferdinand Marcos Jr. appointed Torre as general manager of the MMDA, and that Torre has already assumed office and is actively performing his duties.