PNP chief Gen. Rommel Francisco Marbil, April 4, 2024 at Heroes Hall, Malacanang Palace. Yummie Dinging, PPA pool/File

MANILA (UPDATE) — Malacañang on Thursday announced that President Ferdinand Marcos, Jr. has extended the term of Philippine National Police (PNP) chief Gen. Rommel Marbil by four months.

Marcos cites 'strong argument' to extend term of PNP chief Marbil

Marbil was set to retire on February 7.

In a memorandum dated Feb. 4 signed by Executive Secretary Lucas Bersamin, it states that Marcos approved the extension of Marbil’s term beyond the compulsory retirement age of 56.

In a statement, Marbil expressed "profound gratitude" to Marcos for the term extension.

"This extension allows me to focus and work harder on our preparations for the 2025 national and local elections, ensuring that we deliver peaceful, credible, fair, and honest elections," said Marbil.

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Marcos earlier said it would "not be good" to shake up the PNP leadership while the country is in the middle of an election period.

Marcos ‘inclined’ to extend PNP chief Marbil’s term: Remulla

"There is a very strong argument that it would not be good for stability especially to change chief PNP in the middle of campaign period, and then approaching an election period," Marcos had said in a chance interview.

The Philippines is set to hold a midterm election on May 12, 2025.

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