Marcos surfaces, swears in new PNP chief Nartatez

President Ferdinand Marcos Jr. made a public appearance at Malacañang Palace on Wednesday, personally administering the oath of office to newly promoted Philippine National Police Chief General Jose Melencio C. Nartatez Jr.

The event helped put to rest circulating speculations about the President’s health after several recent low-profile engagements.

Malacañang emphasized that a formal medical bulletin is unnecessary, noting that the President’s packed schedule — including this high-visibility event — demonstrates his active participation, with photos and videos capturing him fully engaged.

Presidential Communications Undersecretary and Palace Press Officer Atty. Claire Castro said Marcos’ health is improving following a recent diagnosis of diverticulitis, an inflammation of bulging pouches in the large intestine. She stressed that medical bulletins are typically issued only for serious or life-threatening conditions.

“As far as we know, a medical bulletin should be released only for serious illnesses,” Castro told reporters. She added that it’s more reliable for the President to speak about how he feels. “If the President says it’s not life-threatening, why issue a medical bulletin now when we’re already providing updates on his condition? It’s probably more reliable for him to describe how he feels… after all, it’s his body.”

Marcos had missed some events last week while under observation but was represented by Executive Secretary Ralph Recto at the “Pagpupugay 2025: Parangal Sa Mga Lingkod” event. His attendance at the PNP oath-taking signals improving health.

“As ES Ralph Recto said, the President was advised to rest. But today he attended the ceremony and held private meetings, showing his health is on the mend,” Castro added.

Last week, Marcos also released a video assuring the public that his condition is not life-threatening.

Nartatez takes oath

After administering the oath of office to Nartatez, Marcos extended his congratulations and support to the new PNP chief for his demonstrated leadership within the police ranks.

Castro added that Marcos highlighted the PNP’s critical role in maintaining peace and order and ensuring national security.

Nartatez brings decades of experience, having held leadership roles as PNP Deputy Chief for Administration (2024–2025), Director of the National Capital Region Police Office (2023–2024), Regional Director of Police Regional Office IV-A (Calabarzon, 2022–2023), and Director of the Ilocos Norte Police Provincial Office (2016–2018). He has also served as Director for Comptrollership and Intelligence, with the elite PNP Special Action Force, and the Criminal Investigation and Detection Group.

A Philippine Military Academy Tanglaw-Diwa Class of 1992 graduate, Nartatez was promoted to Police Lieutenant Colonel in 2006 and holds a Master’s in Public Administration from the Polytechnic University of the Philippines.

Police reforms vowed

Nartatez vowed to continue ongoing reforms and programs aimed at keeping communities safe and reducing crime.

In a brief interview at Camp Crame, Nartatez said the President’s directive was clear: Maintain public safety and push for nationwide crime reduction.

“The directive of our President is to continue the work of the PNP, ensure community safety, and reduce crime,” Nartatez said, adding that these efforts have long been underway and will continue.

He noted that his responsibilities have effectively been in place since he became officer-in-charge on 26 August and his recent promotion to four-star general merely formalized the role. He emphasized that there would be no major policy shifts, with existing peace and order programs continuing.

“What I said on August 26 remains the same. PNP programs to improve peace and order will continue,” he said.

On personnel movements, Nartatez explained that reshuffles are routine due to retirements and promotions: “From time to time, many retire and many are promoted, so there is a chain reaction. There are movements every time.”

He also stressed that crime reduction depends on the readiness, training, and morale of the PNP’s more than 230,000 personnel, citing better salaries, continuous training, modern equipment, and sufficient funding as key.

Equally important, Nartatez highlighted community engagement and stakeholder coordination: “With partnership and participation, especially from the community, we can reduce crime and enforce the law.”