BINABATI KO KAYONG LAHAT SA PAGDIRIWANG NG PANGSAMPUNG ANIBERSARYO NG PHILIPPINE NATIONAL POLICE. NGUNI'T HIGIT DOON SA NGALAN NG SAMBAYANAN, TAUS-PUSONG AKONG NAGPAPASALAMT FOR BEING THE PROTECTOR AND THE KINDRED OF THE PEOPLE ESPECIALLY ON THE DEFINING DAY IN OUR HISTORY, JANUARY 19, WHEN UNDER THE LEADERSHIP OF GENERAL LEANDRO MENDOZA NOW YOUR CHIEF IN A DRAMATIC SHOW OF FORCE YOU SWANG CAMP CRAME IN SUPPORT OF PEOPLE POWER AND PAVED THE WAY FOR A PEACEFUL TRANSITION OF GOVERNMENT. FOR YOUR VALOR AND HEROISM, MARAMING SALAMAT.

 WHEN THE PNP WAS CREATED TEN YEARS AGO, THE LEADERSHIP THE HAD IN MIND A POLICE FORCE THAT IS NATIONAL IN SCOPE AND CIVILIAN IN CHARACTER. TO KEEP OUR PEOPLE'S PEACE SWEEPING REFORMS HAD TO BE INIATED THAT REQUIRED NEW LAWS AND EFFECTIVE IMPLEMENTATION OF THE SAME.

 THE EFFECTIVITY OF THESE MEASURES CONTINUES TO BE TESTED IN THE VARIOUS SITUATIONS WHERE OUR POLICE THAT I S NATIONAL IN SCOPE AND CIVILIAN IN CHARACTER, TO KEEP OUR PEOPLE'S PEACE, SWEEPING REFORMS HAD TO BE INITIATED THAT REQUIRED NEW LAWS AND EFFECTIVE IMPLEMENTATION OF THE SAME.

 I VIVIDLY RECALL IMAGES AND POLICE FORCES AT MENDIOLA BRIDGE KEEPING PEACE BY MAKING THEMSELVES THE BUFFER WITHIN GROUPS OF OPPOSING POLITICAL PERSUASION.

 I REMEMBER THE MEN AND WOMEN IN BLUE MUST ALONG ONE SIDE OF THE EDSA SHRINE READY TO AVERT ANY TROUBLE YET ALSO JOINING IN THE CALL FOR THE GOOD GOVERNANCE. I AM AWARE WHAT TRANSPIRED IN THE RANKS AT THAT TIME AND THE RISK THAT MANY OFFICERS TOOK TO ENSURE THAT THE PNP WILL REMAIN UNFRAGMENTED AND TRUE TO ITS MISSION IN THE SERVICE OF THE PEOPLE IN YOUR NATIONAL HEADQUARTERS AT EDSA AND IN EVERY REGION OF THE COUNTRY, YOUR MOVES DURING THOSE FOUR DAYS MAKE YOUR NEW COMMANDER-IN-CHIEF  AND THE FILIPINO PEOPLE PROUD OF YOU.

 THE DAY AFTER THE DRAMATIC INCIDENTS HERE AT CAMP CRAME, THE SUPREME COURT URGED ME TO TAKE MY OATH OF OFFICE AS PRESIDENT OF THE PHILIPPINES AND I DID. AMONG THE CORE LIST THAT I ENUNCIATED IN MY STATEMENT AFTER THE OATH TAKING, .....THAT GENERAL MENDOZA REFERRED TO IN HIS STATEMENT, I SAID, THAT WE MUST IMPROVE MORAL STANDARDS  IN GOVERNMENT AND SOCIETY IN ORDER TO CREATE A STRONG FOUNDATION FOR GOOD GOVERNANCE. WE MUST DO THIS TO ENSURE TO THE GAINS OF PEOPLE POWER ARE NOT DISSIPATED. THIS IS TRUE FOR THE PNP AS FOR THE OTHER AGENCIES IN GOVERNMENT. THAT THE PNP WILL TRULY FUNCTION AS THE SERVANT AND PROTECTOR OF THE PEOPLE.

 IN THIS LIGHT, I WOULD LIKE TO CONGRATULATE THE PNP AND  TO REPORT TO THE FILIPINO PEOPLE THAT AS OF 8:30 A.M. TODAY, THE 2th OF THE FEBRUARY, A PNP OPERATION RESULTED IN THE SAFE RESCUE OF THE FOLLOWING VICTIMS OF KIDNAPPING. KEVIN JOSHUA BURGOS NINE YEARS OLD; JAMES STEVEN BURGOS SIX YEARS OLD, WHERE THREE KIDNAPPERS WERE KILLED AND ONE POLICEMAN WAS WOUNDED.  THE TWO CHILDREN WERE KIDNAPPED LAST JANUARY 31st AT 11:45 A.M. IN LEGASPI, ALBAY. THE KIDNAPPERS DEMANDED TWO MILLION PESOS. ALBAY POLICE ISOLATED THE AREA WHICH IS REYES BEACH RESORT IN STO. DOMINGO, ALBAY. AND THE REGIONAL DIRECTOR OF REGION V REQUESTED AT 8:30 A. M. TODAY. // ONCE AGAIN THE PNP HAS SHOWN ITSELF AS THE PROTECTOR OF THE PEOPLE.

 BUT WE MUST CONTINUE. WE NEED A MORAL REVOLUTION. THE IMPROVEMENT OF MORAL STANDARD CREATES FERTILE GROUND FOR GOOD GOVERNANCE. LET ME SHARE ONCE AGAIN WITH YOU WHAT I SHARED BEFORE THE CIVIL SERVANTS OF THE PHILIPPINES WHEN I DID MY FIRST FLAG  RAISING CEREMONY IN MALACANANG  IN MY FIRST WORKING DAY. WHAT I CONSIDER TO BE THE THREE  PILLARS OF GOOD GOVERNANCE.

 FIRST, A SOUND MORAL FOUNDATION.

 SECOND, A PHILOSOPHY OF TRANSPARENCY.

 THIRD, AN ETHIC OF EFFECTIVE IMPLEMENTATION
 

 REFORMS MUST BE ACCELERATED AND INSTITUTIONALIZED TO ENSURE THAT THE PNP WILL CONSISTENTLY AND EFFECTIVELY FUNCTION AS THE ENFORCERS OF LAWS AND THE PROTECTOR OF THE FILIPINO PEOPLE. I EXPECT GENERAL MENDOZA TO PURSUE THE NEEDED REFORMS VIGOROUSLY AND TO GIVE TO OUR PEOPLE AND COMMUNITIES THE SENSE OF PEACE AND SECURITY THEY DESERVE. I TRUST THE ENTIRE PNP WILL SUPPORT YOUR CHIEF AND HIS AGENDA FOR LAW ENFORCEMENT WITHOUT FEAR AND FAVOR AND LAW AND ORDER, IN GENERAL.

 FOR KEEPING THE PEACE IS NOT THE RESPONSIBILITY OF THE PNP CHIEF ALONE, IT IS THE RESPONSIBILITY OF THE WHOLE POLICE FORCE. INDEED, IN YOUR BEHALF, I REITERATE TO OUR PEOPLE YOUR COMMITMENT TO PEACE. PEACE HAS SEVERAL COMPONENTS: AMONG THE MOST IMPORTANT OF WHICH ARE THE ECONOMY AND UPHOLDING HIGH MORAL STANDARDS. I REALIZE THEREFORE THAT PEACE IS ALSO THE RESPONSIBILITY OF THOSE IN GOVERNMENT AND IN CIVIL SOCIETY. BUT PNP HAS A SPECIAL LEADERSHIP ROLE IN OUR SOCIETY BECAUSE OUR PEOPLE LOOK TO YOU FOR PROTECTION AGAINST ABUSE.

 IN YOUR LEADERSHIP ROLE, YOU MUST EXERCISE LEADERSHIP BY EXAMPLE. LEADERSHIP BY EXAMPLE SHOULD START BUT NOT END AT THE VERY TOP. A SIMPLE BUT DIGNIFIED LIFE STYLE IS IN ORDER - BY THE PRESIDENT, FOR THE OFFICIALS OF GOVERNMENT AND DOWN THE RANK-AND-FILE IN THE CIVIL SERVICE. WE CAN EXERCISE THIS LEADERSHIP BY EXAMPLE IN OUR FAMILY, IN OUR NEIGHBORHOOD AND IN OUR COMMUNITY.

 SINCE I HAVE MADE A VOW TO LIVE BY EXAMPLE, I EXPECT EACH ONE OF YOU TO DO THE SAME ESPECIALLY SINCE YOU ARE IN THE BEST POSITION AS FRONT LINERS TO SERVE OUR PEOPLE. AS PUBLIC SERVANTS, WE NEED TO HAVE HIGH ETHICAL STANDARDS IN THE DISCHARGE OF OUR RESPECTIVE FUNCTIONS. I AM THEREFORE ENJOINING THE PNP TO BE MODELS OF THOSE STANDARDS ENUMERATED IN A PLEDGE. TO THE FILIPINO PEOPLE, AND I HAVE ASKED THE MEMBERS OF MY CABINET TO SIGN AS THE MORAL COMPASS OF MY GOVERNMENT. GENERAL MENDOZA MENTIONED THEM EARLIER IN HIS SPEECH, ALLOW ME ONCE AGAIN TO SPELL OUR THOSE ETHICAL STANDARDS.

 FIRST, IS TRUST WORTHINESS; WE MUST EARN AND MAINTAIN THE PEOPLE'S TRUST BY BEING HONEST, RELIABLE, AND ACCOUNTABLE IN ALL OUR TRANSACTIONS.

 SECOND IS RESULTS ORIENTATION; AND I KNOW THAT THE PNP HAS THIS ETHIC AS WELL. WE MUST WORK CLOSELY WITH THE VARIOUS SECTORS OF OUR SOCIETY TO PRODUCE PROGRAMS AND SERVICES THAT WILL CONCRETELY IMPROVE THE QUALITY OF LIFE OF FILIPINO ESPECIALLY THE POOR.

 THIRD IS POVERTY FOCUS. WE MUST PROMOTED AND PROTECT IN OUR WORK THE RIGHT OF THE POOR TO JUSTICE, TO PEACE AND DIGNITY:

 FOURTH IS CITIZEN EMPOWERMENT AND PARTICIPATION. WE MUST ENCOURAGE THE INVOLVEMENT OF THE DIFFERENT SECTORS OF OUR SOCIETY IN THE PROCESS OF GOVERNANCE AND THEIR ENLIGHTENED PARTICIPATION IN ADDRESSING OUR COLLECTIVE CONCERNS.

 FIFTH IS CONSTITUENCY FEEDBACK. WE MUST LISTEN TO AND LEARN FROM THOSE WHOM WE SERVE AND USE THEIR FEEDBACK TO RENDER BETTER SERVICE TO THEM.

 SIXTH IS CONTINUOUS IMPROVEMENT. WE MUST ALWAYS SEEK TO IMPROVE ON PAST AND PRESENT PRACTICES TO CREATE A GOVERNMENT THAT WORK BETTER AND COST LESS.

 SEVENTH IS RESPECT FOR OTHERS. WE MUST RESPECT THE INTELLIGENCE OF OUR FELLOW PUBLIC SERVANTS AND AFFIRM THEIR POTENTIALS FOR CREATIVITY AND INNOVATION IN SERVING THE PEOPLE; AND,

 EIGHT AS HAS BEEN MENTIONED SEVERAL TIMES THIS MORNING IS A SIMPLE LIFE STYLE. WE MUST LIVE IN A MANNER THAT WILL NOT BE A CAUSE FOR PEOPLE TO DOUBT OUR INTEGRITY AND INDEPENDENCE IN OUR POLITICAL ACTIONS.

 THIS MEANS THAT, OF COURSE, THE POLICE FORCE MUST REMAIN A POLITICAL AND NOT ALLOW OURSELVES TO BE SUBVERTED BY THE DEMANDS OF POLITICAL PATRONS OR ECONOMIC KINSPIN. ALSO KEEP UP YOUR NO TAKE POLICY. IN THIS, YOU HAVE MY FULL SUPPORT AND ASSISTANCE.

 OF EQUAL IMPORTANCE , TOO, IS YOUR ROLE AS A LINCHSPIN TO THE COUNTRY. CRIMINALITY AND LAWLESSNESS DESTROY CONFIDENCE. HIGH CRIMINALITY AND RAMPANT LAWLESSNESS RESULT IN DECLINING ECONOMIC ACTIVITY. WE CANNOT BRING INVESTMENTS AND LIVELIHOOD OPPORTUNITIES IN AN ENVIRONMENT WHERE WIDESPREAD CRIMINALITY THRIVES, ECONOMIC STABILITY CANNOT BE REALIZED UNDER A REGIME OF CRIMINALITY AND VIOLENCE. THIS IS ANOTHER REASON FOR FOCUSING MUCH OF OUR ATTENTION TOWARDS ADDRESSING THE PEACE AND ORDERS SITUATION, AND ADMISSION TO THE FACT, THE PEACE AND ORDER IS AN END ITSELF.

 THE TASK OF REBUILDING IS LOW AND PAINFUL. IT ENTAILS THE FULL SUPPORT OF ALL FILIPINOS. IT ENTAILS VIGILANCE FROM CIVIL SOCIETY AND IT ENTAILS THE RENEWED DEDICATION TO SERVICE, TO TRUTH, TO PEACE OF THE MEMBERS OF THE PHILIPPINE NATIONAL POLICE. YOU HAVE A SWORN DUTY TO UPHOLD, YOU HAD DID IT WELL DURING THE DAYS OF JANUARY, AND I AM SURE YOUR PERFORMANCE WILL NOT PASS UNNOTICED, NOT BY ME AND NOT BY OUR PEOPLE.

 EARLIER I SAID, GENERAL MENDOZA LED IN SWINGING CAMP CRAME THROUGH THE SUPPORT OF PEOPLE POWER. BUT THERE WERE MANY OTHER SENIOR OFFICERS WHO HAVE BEEN ASSISTING QUIETLY BEHIND THE SCENES SO THAT PEOPLE POWER MAY COME ABOUT. THIS IS NOT THE TIME OR THE PLACE TO MENTION ALL OF THEM DURING THE FEBRUARY 22nd CELEBRATION OF EDSA 1, THEY WILL BE PROPERLY ACKNOWLEDGE AND PUBLICLY APPRECIATED.

 IN THE MEANTIME, I KNOW WHO YOU ARE AND YOU KNOW, I KNOW WHO YOU ARE AND IN BEHALF OF THE FILIPINO PEOPLE, THANK YOU ONCE AGAIN FOR YOUR SUPPORT AT EDSA AND THE WEEKS BEFORE THAT. THANK YOU FOR BEING TRUE TO THE VISION OF A NATIONAL AND CIVILIAN FORCE. THANK YOU FOR ENSURING A PEACEFUL AND ORDERLY TRANSITION OF POWER.

 I AM STUDYING HOW TO MAKE THE LIFE OF POLICEMEN AND THEIR FAMILIES BETTER WITHIN THE CONSTRAINTS OF THE LARGE BUDGET DEFICIT THAT WE HAD INHERITED. I WISH TO ASSURE YOU THAT OUR COUNTRYMEN DO APPRECIATE THE MANY SACRIFICES YOU HAVE HAD TO ENDURE. AND AS A COMMANDER-IN-CHIEF OF THE LAND, I RECOGNIZE THAT IT IS ALSO MY RESPONSIBILITY TO ENSURE THAT THOSE SACRIFICES ARE RIGHTFULLY REWARDED.

 I AM NOW DIRECTING THE PROPER AGENCIES TO LOOK INTO HOW WE CAN IMPROVE THE HOUSING AND HEALTH CARE PROGRAMS FOR OUR POLICE FORCE AND THEIR DEPENDENTS.

 LIKEWISE, WE SHALL LOOK INTO PROVIDING MORE EDUCATIONAL GRANTS OR SCHOLARSHIP ASSISTANCE FOR OUR POLICE DEPENDENTS. LET IT NOT BE SAID, THAT A LOT OF OUR POLICEMEN HAVE BEEN LEFT NEGLECTED. WE SHALL ALSO SEEK TO EXPEDITE THE STUDY ON THE REORGANIZATION BILL NOW BEING DELIBERATED BY THE JOINT COMMITTEE OF THE TWO HOUSES. THE SAME HOLDS TRUE FOR THE MAGNA CARTA FOR THE POLICEMEN.

 LET US NOT ALLOW MINOR PROBLEMS TO STYMIED OUR PROFESSIONAL GROWTH, RATHER, LET US LOOK FOR INNOVATIVE WAYS SO THAT THIS BILL AND THE PNP MAGNA CARTA CAN FINALLY BE PUSHED FORWARD TO BENEFIT AND DIGNIFY OUR POLICE FORCE.

 AND LET ME ALSO DIRECT OUR DILG SECRETARY TO SUBMIT HIS RECOMMENDATIONS IN REGARD TO ISSUES THAT I UNDERSTAND ARE VERY CLOSED TO YOUR HEARTS. THE FIRST PERTAINS TO THE PROBLEM BESETTING YOUR RETIREES. IT HAS BEEN BROUGHT TO MY ATTENTION THAT MANY OF OUR RETIREES HAVE NOT BEEN RECEIVING THEIR THREE-YEAR LUMP SUM AND THEIR ACCUMULATED LEAVE PAY WITHIN THE CONSTRAINTS OF THE HUGE BUDGET DEFICIT THAT WE HAVE INHERITED THIS WILL HAVE TO BE ADDRESSED AS SOON AS POSSIBLE.

 A SECOND ISSUE PERTAINS TO SALARY STANDARDIZATION, AND THIS IS PURSUANCE TO R.A.A 551. AGAIN, WITHIN THE CONSTRAINTS OF OUR LARGE, THE LARGEST BUDGETARY DEFICIT IN HISTORY, I URGE THE DILG SECRETARY TO LOOK INTO THIS CAREFULLY AND EXPEDITIOUSLY SO THAT WE CAN PROVIDE THE ENVIRONMENT THAT WILL INSPIRE DEDICATION AND SERVICE, EFFICIENCY AND INTEGRITY AND RESTORE THE PRIDE AND PROFESSIONALISM WITHIN THE  PHILIPPINE NATIONAL POLICE.

 GENTLEMEN, AND GENTLEWOMEN OF THE PHILIPPINE NATIONAL POLICE, I WANT TO GIVE YOU THE SAME MESSAGE THAT I GAVE THE MEN AND WOMEN OF THE ARMED FORCE OF THE PHILIPPINES. THE FILIPINO PEOPLE ARE GRATEFUL TO YOU. THEY ARE GRATEFUL TO YOU FOR BEING GUARDIANS OF OUR DEMOCRACY. THEY ARE GRATEFUL TO YOU FOR BEING PROTECTORS OF THE PEOPLE. THEY ARE GRATEFUL TO YOU FOR WHAT YOU DID AT EDSA. AND ON MY PART, A REPRESENTATION OF THE PEOPLE I WILL BE GOOD TO YOU AS PERSON AND I WILL BE GOOD TO YOU AS AN INSTITUTION.

 HAPPY ANNIVERSARY, GOOD LUCK AND THANK YOU!###