Rafael Vicente Calinisan replaces Alberto Bernardo as Napolcom’s civilian sector representative. The DILG previously deemed Bernardo’s appointment to the commission “irregular.”

MANILA, Philippines – President Ferdinand Marcos Jr. chose a lawyer Rafael Vicente Calinisan as the new commissioner of the National Police Commission (Napolcom).

Marcos appointed Calinisan as the new commissioner representing the civilian sector. Napolcom is composed of commissioners representing various sectors such as civil and law enforcement. Calinisan will be part of the body tasked with “exercising administrative control and operational supervision over the PNP (Philippine National Police) with the aim of ensuring a police service of high capacity, effectiveness and credibility.”

Calinisan will serve until December 31, 2024. He replaced Alberto Bernardo, who previously served as Napolcom’s Vice President and Chief Executive Officer (VCEO).

Prior to his appointment to Napolcom, Calinisan served as chairman and executive officer of the Quezon City Law Enforcement Committee.

A celebrity lawyer and certified public accountant, Calinisan earned his degree in business administration and accounting from the University of the Philippines, while his law degree from the Ateneo de Manila University. He also earned his Master of Laws degree from the University of Pennsylvania in 2014.

Meanwhile, Department of the Interior and Local Government (DILG) Secretary Jonvic Remulla told Rappler that Bernardo was replaced because “his appointment was deemed illegal.”

He previously told Rappler that his agency will look into the appointments of Napolcom commissioners because some of their appointments may be “irregular.”

“He was appointed contrary to Napolcom rules, which require two-year staggered appointment of Napolcom’s four governing boards. All four were appointed consecutively in the first quarter of 2022, all serving six-year terms. It was against the Napolcom statute,” the DILG chief explained.

Marcos has not yet announced who will replace Bernardo as VPCE.

Just a few months before the end of his term, former President Rodrigo Duterte appointed Bernardo in March 2022 as Napolcom Executive Director and Commissioner, replacing former Justice Secretary Vitaliano Aguirre II.

Before his replacement, Rappler reported some controversies surrounding Bernardo, such as the Commission on Audit signaling of Napolcom transactions under his leadership and the COA questions about his appointment. A Rappler investigation found that Bernardo retired from government service while serving as director general of Napolcom.

Bernardo explained his side and said he already answered the COA’s questions. He also told Rappler that retired government officials may be reappointed to another government office.

Before Bernardo, another Napolcom commissioner appointed by Duterte had left the body. Former Napolcom commissioner Edilberto Leonardo resigned in October, amid the House of Representatives committee investigation, where he was implicated for his alleged involvement in the drug war and some crimes. – Rappler.com