Question & AnswerQ&A (Republic Act No. 8551)
The law is titled the "Philippine National Police Reform and Reorganization Act of 1998."
The State's policy is to establish a highly efficient and competent police force that is national in scope, civilian in character, community and service-oriented, administered and controlled by a National Police Commission to ensure accountability, uprightness, efficiency, and effectiveness.
The Commission exercises administrative control and operational supervision over the PNP, develops policies, promulgates rules and regulations, conducts audits and assessments, approves training programs, handles disciplinary actions and appeals, monitors local chief executives, investigates anomalies, advises the President, and performs other functions necessary for police administration.
The DILG is relieved of primary responsibility in suppression of insurgency; the PNP supports the Armed Forces of the Philippines (AFP) through intelligence and ordinary police functions except when the President calls on the PNP to support the AFP in combat operations. During national emergencies, the PNP and other agencies assist the AFP upon Presidential direction.
Appointees must be Filipino citizens, members of the Philippine Bar with at least five years' experience in criminal or human rights cases or holders of a master's (preferably doctorate) degree in related fields, with law enforcement sector commissioners having at least five years practical experience and civilian commissioners having research or NGO experience related to law enforcement.
Applicants must be Filipino citizens, of good moral character, have passed psychiatric/psychological, drug, and physical tests, possess at least a baccalaureate degree from a recognized institution, be eligible under Commission standards, not have been dishonorably discharged or convicted of crime involving moral turpitude, meet height and weight requirements, and be between 21 and 30 years old at initial appointment (with some exceptions).
Summary dismissal may be imposed when charges are serious with strong evidence of guilt, when the respondent is a recidivist or has been repeatedly charged with reasonable grounds of guilt, for serious offenses involving conduct unbecoming of a police officer, or when a PNP member is AWOL for 30 or more continuous days.
The IAS proactively conducts inspections and audits, investigates complaints, holds summary hearings, files criminal cases against PNP personnel, assists in prosecution, conducts automatic investigations of specific serious incidents, and makes recommendations regarding promotions and assignments within the PNP.
Personnel who violate gender sensitivity rules shall be suspended without pay for not less than 30 days and required to undergo gender sensitivity training; repeated violations may result in recommendations for demotion or dismissal from the PNP.
Complaints may be filed with chiefs of police for minor offenses, mayors for more serious offenses, the People's Law Enforcement Board for offenses punishable by suspension over 30 days or dismissal. Disciplinary actions must follow a scale of penalties and summary hearings as appropriate, and complaints are subject to exclusive jurisdiction rules to avoid forum shopping.