Thank you. Thank you, Executive Secretary Luke Bersamin.

[Please take your seats.]

Troupe Commander, will you give the order of Tikas Pahinga once again.

[Troupe Commander: Tikas na!]

To the excellencies of the diplomatic corps; Interior and Local Government Secretary Benhur Abalos Jr; the Chief of Staff of the Armed Forces of the Philippines, General Romeo S. Brawner Jr.; and the Major Service Commanders here today; outgoing Chief Philippine National Police General Benajamin C. Acorda Jr.; our incoming Chief, Philippine National Police General Rommel Francisco Marbil; officers and civilian employees of the Philippine National Police; my fellow workers in government other distinguished guests; ladies and gentlemen, good morning.

Today, what we witnessed is not just a change of command, but a pledge to stay the course, and to step up work.

In the PNP, leadership changes and new assignments are given, but the mission remains: To serve and to protect the people.

One goal also remains constant for the PNP: That the PNP does not sit content on its laurels won, but works hard to win more. The PNP tradition is that as soon as the bar is surpassed, it is then raised.

The drive to do better, to push harder is what has fueled the PNP’s aspiration to set new standards.

This ceremony is not meant as a farewell to General Acorda, but a chance to acknowledge and congratulate him for his efforts, his patriotism, his unwavering dedication to ensuring the safety and security of our people. [applause]

During his time as Chief, PNP, he introduced the Five-Focused Agenda, which guided the organization towards more honest law enforcement operations, enhanced information technology capabilities, and stronger community relations.

The PNP’s efforts in combating various forms of crime have yielded tangible results, which exhibit the diligence of our officers and personnel, as well as the effectiveness of our programs.

In a survey conducted by OCTA Research last year, the PNP was recognized as the 3rd Highest Performing and  Most Trusted among 25 government agencies in the second quarter of 2023 receiving a 76% trust rating. [applause]

This indicates the public’s increasing trust and confidence in the police force.

With all these, I believe, the best send-off gift that we can give General Acorda is neither the usual memorabilia nor the typical testimonials.

The best parting token that we can offer him is the pledge to exceed what he has done during his watch and to continue the good work that he has begun. [applause] 

I am sure nothing will make General Benjie Acorda happier than seeing the organization he loves so much able to outdo all the previous achievements of the PNP.

So, for all these and more, I congratulate and salute General Acorda for a job well done! [applause]

Now, we pass the privilege of leading the PNP to be a more efficient, transparent, and trustworthy in these challenging and promising times.

With our heartfelt congratulations, we welcome Police General Rommel Francisco Marbil, who will assume the responsibilities of the 30th Chief of the PNP.

Police General Marbil, you have my full confidence and my full support, as you begin to champion a police that is pro-God, pro-country, pro-people, pro-environment.

Let us work closely with you in addressing emerging threats, such as cybercrime, terrorism, and transnational crimes.

We shall continue to uphold the highest standards of professionalism and give the finest service to our beloved citizens.

Let us now ensure that the PNP will be agents of progressive transformation in the lives of our people by ensuring the safety and well-being of every community in the land.

And so, before I close, I wish to extend my gratitude to the more than 230,000 men and women of the PNP who have been instrumental to the success of your organization and our development as a nation.

I wish to extend my sincere appreciation to your families for their sacrifices and those sacrifices that they continue to as they understand the demands attached to the uniform that you wear.

With Police General Marbil as our 30th PNP Chief, I enjoin everyone to face the coming days with even greater fervor, determination, and optimism to achieve our goals and aspirations for the nation.

Let us remain vigilant in the face of challenges and opportunities, as we strive to build a Bagong Pilipinas where everyone can thrive and live in peace.

Mabuhay ang ating Kapulisan!

Mabuhay ang Bagong Pilipinas!

Maraming salamat at magandang umaga po sa inyong lahat. [applause]

—END—