Gov. Espino - PD Chan stalemate soon over – Cuy

Police Director Catalino Cuy answers the media
in Lingayen, Pangasinan in July 4, 2013 

By MORTZ C. ORTIGOZA

 LINGAYEN – Police Director Catalino Cuy said he is optimistic the stand-off between Pangasinan Governor Amado T. Espino and Provincial Director Marlou Chan will be resolved soon after the latter appointment was revoked from permanent to acting-capacity.
 “Iyon nga optimistic kami mare-resolve iyon na win-win solution ang hinahanap namin,” Cuy, chief of the Directorate for Personnel and Records Management at the national police headquarter who designated Chan, said.

Blogger Ortigoza (C) exchanges pleasantries with
Provincial Director Marlou Chan  (L) and Regional
Director Rick Marquez (R) after the summary hearing
of their injunction case filed by Pangasinan
Governor Amado T. Espino at the Regional
Trial Court in Lingayen, Pangasinan.
Chan, Marquez, and Espino are alumni of the
elite Philippine Military Academy.

Cuy explained that he and the top brass of the Philippine National Police in Manila would be submitting the nominees for the provincial director in Pangasinan to the National Police Commission in the first week of July this year.
“May naka-schedule kaming meeting ng mga senior (police) officers sa board sa Camp Crame this week as long as mapili natin ang nominees pag na-submit we will be informing the judge”.
Cuy, together with Regional Director Ricardo Marquez and Chan were sued by a Writ of Injunction at the Regional Trial Court here by Governor Espino in May 24 this year because both of them appointed Chan as permanent provincial director.
The lawyer of Espino argued that Section 51 of the Department of Interior & Local Government Act and Republic Act 8551 (Act Establishing the Philippine National Police Under a re-organized Department of the Interior and Local Government, and for Other Purposes) mandate the governor to appoint one of the three nominees submitted by the regional director.
Cuy downplayed the gubernatorial prerogative when asked the wisdom of appointing Chan without passing the procedure.
“That is for the PNP kasi six months iyong tour of duty. Pag naka six months ka doon sa tour of duty that is considered one tour of duty,” he explained.
 Cuy said there was no patent violation of the laws because it was a consideration for Chan who served as PD for more than six months.
 “Hindi naman. Ano lang iyon parang consuelo iyon sa ating na na-designate na officer. At least ma release siya after mga six months PD na siya. Parang ganoon”.
 Cuy said even Chan is in a permanent capacity it would not prevent the PNP's leadership to replace him. “Hindi permanent iyon,” he stressed.