DILG recommends Nartatez Jr. as permanent PNP chief

The Department of the Interior and Local Government (DILG) has recommended to the Office of the President the permanent appointment of Police Lieutenant General Jose Melencio Nartatez Jr. as chief of the Philippine National Police (PNP).

Senator JV Ejercito, sponsor of the DILG's proposed budget for 2026, confirmed this recommendation during the plenary debates on the General Appropriations Bill.

This recommendation follows an inquiry by Senate President Pro Tempore Panfilo "Ping" Lacson regarding why Nartatez remains acting PNP chief.

Nartatez, a three-star general, assumed leadership of the PNP in August, despite the previous acting chief, Police General Nicolas Torre III, holding a higher rank.

Torre was relieved from his post three months prior to Nartatez's assumption, with the National Police Commission (NAPOLCOM) noting he continued to hold the rank of Police General, a rank legally limited to a single officer at a time.