Senator Leila de Lima filed a bill seeking to increase the mandatory retirement age of officers and non-officers of the Philippine National Police (PNP) from 56 years old to 60 years.
The detained senator filed Senate Bill No. 1899 or an Act Increasing the Compulsory Age of Retirement for PNP officers and non-officers, noting that officers and personnel of the PNP are often considered “too young” to retire at the age of 56.
De Lima said this is more evident, especially when appointing officials in high-ranking positions such as chief of PNP.
“This proposed amendment will enable the law to be dynamic and responsive to change – especially because the educational requirement in the Philippines was significantly affected by the K-12 program,” De Lima said.
“It, likewise, takes into consideration changes in life expectancy and years of healthy living, as well as the ability and desire of the members of the police force to work longer,” she added.
As an example, the senator cited the situation of former PNP Chief Gen. Camilo Cascolan, who only served as PNP chief for two months and is now replaced by the National Capital Region Police Office (NCRPO) chief Debold Sinas who would turn 56 next year.
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De Lima proposes raising PNP’s retirement age to 60
“Indeed, this stint for a PNP Chief is too brief a time to ensure continuity in PNP’s programs and develop a working relationship with one’s subordinates,” she said.
She said raising the retirement age of police officers would greatly benefit the country and the PNP. These experienced officers could share their expertise and training they have acquired over the years with their juniors.
“In prematurely ending the careers of the police force with a 56-year-old retirement age, the younger generation of policemen and women are deprived of mentoring opportunities by their seniors who still possess sharpness of mind, high level of fitness, agility, and strength of body,” she said.
“By increasing the age of compulsory retirement, the government may save money by not paying retirement benefits so early,” De Lima said.