As the Philippine National Police (PNP) gears up to celebrate its 34th anniversary on 29 January, many inside Camp Crame are asking the same question: Will it also be the day that acting PNP chief Lt. Gen. Jose Melencio Nartatez Jr. finally dons his four-star rank?

Nartatez, currently a three-star general, has been holding the top police post in an acting capacity since replacing former PNP chief Gen. Nicolas Torre III, who holds the four-star rank. In the PNP, only one officer can officially wear that coveted four-star insignia at a time.

PNP spokesman Brig. Gen. Randulf Tuaño told reporters on Monday that a proper turnover ceremony — and the donning of Nartatez’s four-star rank — is planned to coincide with the PNP anniversary celebrations.

“But it really depends on President Ferdinand Marcos Jr.’s schedule,” Tuaño added.

The promotion has been delayed, in part, because Torre had not yet formally relinquished his four-star rank. That hurdle cleared recently, however, after Malacañang and the National Police Commission announced that Torre opted for early retirement and accepted his new post as general manager of the Metropolitan Manila Development Authority.

DILG Secretary Jonvic Remulla confirmed that Nartatez is set to receive his four-star rank this week, following the official retirement of his predecessor.

“President Ferdinand R. Marcos Jr. doesn’t have a schedule yet; he himself will lead the donning of rank. Maybe anytime next week we’ll have the donning and then a proper turnover,” Remulla told reporters at Camp Crame last Wednesday. 

Remulla also clarified that Torre is now officially classified as retired from the PNP, clearing the way for Nartatez to step fully into the top post.

With the anniversary just days away, all eyes at Camp Crame are on Nartatez — ready to see him finally wear the four stars that mark his official rise to the helm of the nation’s police force.