President Benigno “Noynoy” Aquino recently appointed PNP Chief Director General Ricardo Marquez as the new PNP Chief to replace the dismissed former PNP Chief Director General Alan Purisima. During Purisima’s term, the so-called “White House” (the official residence of the PNP chief in Camp Crame) became controversial after reports came out that the re-construction in 2013 allegedly cost P25 million. But it was denied and the PNP claimed that only P11 million was spent for the renovation and generously donated by Purisima’s friends in the Free and Accepted Masons of the Philippines. The newly appointed PNP Chief Marquez opened the said house to guests and media people as a part of transparency under his leadership.

I have heard the speech of PNP Chief Marquez and all I can say is that may he be able to fulfill most, if not all, of his objectives before his retirement in August 2016. May he be able to dump the “bata-bata” (patronage system) among men in uniform, cleaning up of the scalawags, salary adjustment and benefits of the PNP, and more. But I guess the most difficult task of the new PNP chief is to regain the people’s trust over his people.