Senate President Pro Tempore and former Philippine National Police (PNP) chief Ping Lacson congratulated PNP Chief Jose Melencio Nartatez Jr. on the formal conferment of his four-star rank.
Lacson, who headed the PNP from 1999 to 2001, described as “overdue” the promotion of Nartatez, who served as his police aide-de-camp when he had the same position at the time.
“Truly proud of him.”
“Time really flies. 26 years ago, four-star Police General Jose Melencio Nartatez Jr. was my police aide-de-camp when I had the same position and responsibility that he now carries. Truly proud of him,” the veteran legislator said on his X account.
“His promotion is overdue, having been delayed by the issue raised by former Chief PNP and ‘deemed resigned’ P/Gen. Nicolas Torre III upon his appointment and oath-taking as Metropolitan Manila Development Authority General Manager last December 19 and 26 respectively,” added the seasoned lawmaker, under whose watch the PNP gained the trust and support of the public.
The senator formally received his fourth star and the rank of Police General, the highest in the PNP.
This ended a months-long situation where Torre held the rank even after he was relieved of his post as PNP chief in August 2025.
“Nartatez has big shoes to fill as PNP chief.”
Lacson earlier noted that Nartatez has big shoes to fill as PNP chief, and that leadership by example remains the key to ensuring discipline in the PNP, as it would give him the moral authority to tell his personnel not to extort or be involved in criminal activities.
“He knows my style as Chief PNP. And I hope he, with the assistance and guidance of the Interior Secretary, will help discipline the police force just as I did in going after the ICU – inept, corrupt and undisciplined police officers,” he concluded.
