PNP Appointment Authority

I Learning Objectives

At the end of this lesson, the learner should be able to:

1. Define appointment authority in the PNP.
2. Identify who appoints personnel in the different rank groups.
3. Distinguish the appointment authority of the Regional Director from that of the Chief of the PNP.
4. Identify the role of the President in senior PNP appointments.
5. Explain the role of the Civil Service Commission.
6. Explain the role of the Commission on Appointments.
7. Relate the old PNP ranks used in RA 6975 to the current ranks under RA 11200.
8. Apply the appointment rules to PNPEE situational questions.

II What Is Appointment Authority?

Appointment authority refers to the person or government authority legally empowered to appoint a qualified person to a PNP position or rank.

Appointment authority is not the same for every PNP rank. Section 31 of Republic Act No. 6975 establishes different appointment authorities depending on the rank and personnel category.

III Legal Basis

Republic Act No. 6975

Republic Act No. 6975, also known as the Department of the Interior and Local Government Act of 1990, established the Philippine National Police and provided the original framework for the appointment of PNP officers and members.

Section 31 of RA 6975 specifically provides the appointment structure for PNP officers and members.

Republic Act No. 11200

RA 11200 amended Section 28 of RA 6975 and established the current PNP rank classification.

IV Current PNP Rank Classification

Under RA 11200, the current PNP rank classification is:

V Old and Current PNP Rank Classification

Section 31 of RA 6975 uses the old rank classification. For study purposes, the following table shows the commonly corresponding current rank titles.

VI The Four Appointment Groups

Section 31 of RA 6975 divides appointment authority into four major groups.

VII Group 1: Patrolman/Patrolwoman to Police Executive Master Sergeant

The first appointment group covers the lower PNP ranks.

Under the original Section 31(a) of RA 6975, these were:

• Police Officer I
• Police Officer II
• Police Officer III
• Senior Police Officer I
• Senior Police Officer II
• Senior Police Officer III
• Senior Police Officer IV

Under the current rank classification, these correspond to Patrolman/Patrolwoman through Police Executive Master Sergeant.

Who appoints them?

There are two categories:

1. Regional Personnel

For regional personnel, the appointment is made by the:

2. National Headquarters Personnel

For National Headquarters personnel, the appointment is made by the:

Role of the Civil Service Commission

The appointment is subject to:

VIII Group 2: Police Lieutenant to Police Lieutenant Colonel

The second appointment group originally covered:

• Inspector
• Senior Inspector
• Chief Inspector
• Superintendent

Using the current rank classification, this corresponds to:

• Police Lieutenant
• Police Captain
• Police Major
• Police Lieutenant Colonel

Who appoints them?

However, the appointment is not simply an independent appointment. Section 31(b) provides that it is made:

1. By the Chief of the PNP;
2. Upon recommendation of the officer's immediate superior; and
3. With attestation by the Civil Service Commission.

IX Group 3: Police Colonel to Police Lieutenant General

The third group originally covered:

• Senior Superintendent
• Chief Superintendent
• Director
• Deputy Director General

Under the current rank classification, these correspond to:

• Police Colonel
• Police Brigadier General
• Police Major General
• Police Lieutenant General

Who appoints them?

The appointment involves several constitutional and statutory steps.

Step 1 — Recommendation

The appointment is made by the President upon recommendation of the:

Step 2 — CSC Endorsement

The law also provides for proper endorsement by the:

Step 3 — Commission on Appointments

The appointment is subject to confirmation by the:

X Group 4: Police General

The highest current PNP rank is:

The old rank corresponding to Police General was:

Who appoints the Police General?

The President appoints the Chief of the PNP from among the qualified senior officers within the statutory framework.

The appointment is subject to:

XI Complete Appointment Authority Table

XII The Role of the Civil Service Commission

The Civil Service Commission, or CSC, plays an important role in the appointment process.

For lower ranks

The appointments covered by Section 31(a) are:

For Police Lieutenant to Police Lieutenant Colonel

The appointment is also subject to CSC attestation.

For senior appointments

The statutory framework provides for proper endorsement by the Chairman of the Civil Service Commission.

XIII The Role of the Commission on Appointments

The Commission on Appointments, commonly abbreviated as CA, has a confirmation role for specified senior appointments.

Therefore:

The CA should not be described as the official who makes the appointment in these cases.

XIV President vs. Chief of the PNP

One of the most important PNPEE distinctions is knowing when the appointing authority changes from the Chief of the PNP to the President.

XV Appointment Flow by Rank

Lower Ranks

Police Lieutenant to Police Lieutenant Colonel

Police Colonel to Police Lieutenant General

Police General / Chief, PNP

XVI Appointment Is Different From Promotion

XVII PNPEE Memory Guide

XVIII PNPEE Practice Questions

XIX High-Yield PNPEE Takeaways

XX Important Examination Warning

XXI Legal References