Malacañang has dismissed accusations by the Makabayan bloc that there are “widening cracks” within the President Ferdinand Marcos Jr.’s administration following the sudden removal of Philippine National Police (PNP) Chief Gen. Nicolas Torre III.
In a press briefing on Wednesday, August 27, Palace Press Officer Usec. Claire Castro said that the administration does not see what the Makabayan bloc claims.
“Hindi po ‘yan nangyayari at hindi po ‘yan ang nakikita natin dahil sabi nga po natin si General Torre ay napakagaling na public servant at maaari pa rin po siya magsilbi sa bayan. So, hindi po natin nakikita kung ano ‘yung nakikita ng Makabayan bloc,” Castro stressed.
Torre was relieved of his post on Tuesday, August 26, and was replaced by PNP Lt. Gen. Jose Nartatez Jr., the former deputy chief for administration.
The sudden change took many by surprise, including lawmakers and members of the Makabayan bloc.
Mamamayang Liberal Party-list Representative Leila de Lima described Torre as a “high-performing” PNP chief, expressing dismay over his removal.
“What's happening?! They better have a good reason in doing that to a very popular, much appreciated and high-performing PNP Chief!,” De Lima said.
Meanwhile, Akbayan Party-list’s Percy Cendaña criticized the move, arguing that those implicated in the alleged flood-control project anomalies should have been removed instead.
“‘Yung mga sangkot sa flood control dapat ang sibakin pero Chief PNP ang tinanggal. Anyare?,” Cendaña wrote in a X post.
The Makabayan bloc see the change as a sign of deepening conflict within the administration.
The Palace also confirmed that the President has spoken with Torre and offered him a new position in government.
