#3: PNP Leadership: Marbil’s Marvelous Magic!

Alright, Ka-Diskurso, settle in! If you caught the latest Diskurso Tototo radio program, you know exactly what we’re diving into today. One of my co-hosts over there was hitting me with that classic question, "Ano' ‘yan, Bryan?" after we started talking about something pretty unexpected: a positive change in the Philippine National Police, specifically under General Rommel Marbil. And trust me, as your 43-year-old Editor-in-Chief here at Diskurso, someone who's seen more government drama than a '90s teleserye, I know how wild that sounds.

But lately, something has shifted. A quiet, yet noticeable change that’s slowly, almost imperceptibly, started to rebuild a fragile trust. And much of that, I believe, can be attributed to one man: General Rommel Marbil, the current chief of the Philippine National Police (PNP).

During the previous administration, the PNP became, for many, a symbol of fear rather than safety. The focus seemed to be more on brute force and less on due process. It felt like the rule of law was often bent, or even broken, to achieve certain objectives. This led to a significant erosion of public confidence, and rightfully so. It was a time when the mere sight of a police uniform could send shivers down your spine instead of a sense of relief.

Fast forward to today, under the leadership of President Marcos Jr., and while it’s not a perfect picture, there’s a discernible difference. The rhetoric has toned down, and there's a visible effort to steer the PNP back towards its core mandate of serving and protecting the people. And General Marbil has been instrumental in this transformation.

So, Bryan, you might be asking, “Ano ‘yan, Marbil magic?” Not exactly. It's more about a conscious, strategic, and remarkably humane approach to leadership that has started to ripple through the entire organization.

One of Marbil’s most significant contributions is his push for what he calls "reorganization" within the PNP. He understands that even with existing internal disciplinary mechanisms, true change requires a fundamental shift in its "hierarchical and militaristic structure." Imagine a pyramid, where decisions flow from the top down, often slowly and without much local input. Marbil wants to flatten that pyramid. He envisions a "flatter structure" that will strengthen local accountability and build stronger ties between the police and their communities. This means empowering local police units to make more informed decisions based on the specific needs of their areas, rather than waiting for orders from far above. It's about making the police force more responsive and more integrated with the very people they serve.

Beyond structural changes, General Marbil has consistently shown a genuine concern for his officers. He’s the PNP Chief who doesn't publicly shame his personnel for making mistakes. Instead, he focuses on discipline and professionalism, believing that a well-trained, respected, and supported police force is a more effective one. He hasn’t succumbed to the "palakasan system"—the dreaded practice of favoritism—when it comes to promotions or dismissals. He understands that if a car has a flat tire, you replace the tire, not the entire car. He believes in fixing problems, not in discarding people. This approach builds morale and, in turn, fosters a sense of responsibility and professionalism among the ranks.

Let’s be real, the country is currently facing a lot of turbulence. We have courtesy resignations of cabinet officials, an ongoing impeachment discussion involving the Vice President, and a contentious ICC case against the former President. The government feels a bit shaky, unstable. In times like these, the President needs a leader he can truly trust, someone who can provide stability and continuity in a crucial sector like law enforcement.

This brings us to a crucial point: General Marbil is nearing his retirement. Why replace someone who is clearly doing good, someone who is steadily steering the PNP towards a more professional and community-oriented path, especially when the government needs stability more than ever?

If you are "pro-organization," then you are for Marbil. He is implementing reforms that are good for the PNP as an institution. But if you are "pro-people," you should also be for Marbil. His reforms are geared towards making the police force more accountable and connected to the communities they serve. This is not about choosing between the organization and the people; it’s about recognizing that Marbil’s leadership benefits both.

Continuity in police programs is vital, especially now. The reforms he has initiated are not just cosmetic changes; they are fundamental shifts that require time to fully take root and show their maximum impact. Removing him now would be like uprooting a plant just as it’s beginning to blossom.

However, our president seems to have decided who would be next in line as PNP Chief. If that is the case, then the next question we should pose is whether the upcoming chief can maintain and continue the positive changes already implemented by Marbil or would they go with a different direction?

Stability is the name of the game. I need to reiterate that currently, we are far from it. Hence, retaining General Marbil as PNP Chief would be the most practical and logical choice to maintain and develop that stabilization towards true progress. 

So, why kill the goose that lays the golden eggs? Why fix whats not broken? Positive reforms in any organization bring hope for a better tomorrow. Thus, it would be better if we support and strengthen the foundation rather than let go of it and watch it collapse into something we might not recognize again.