Directing Members of PNP to Observe the Prescribed Internal Complaints and Grievances Procedure

August 7, 1995

NAPOLCOM MEMORANDUM CIRCULAR NO. 16-95

DIRECTING MEMBERS OF THE PHILIPPINE NATIONAL POLICE (PNP) TO OBSERVE THE PRESCRIBED INTERNAL COMPLAINTS AND GRIEVANCES PROCEDURE

WHEREAS, under Section 81, R.A. No. 6975, uniformed personnel of the PNP shall have the right to present complaints and grievances to their superiors or commanders and have them heard and adjudicated as expeditiously as possible in the best interest of the service, with due regard to due process in every case;

WHEREAS, the law likewise mandates that such complaints or grievances shall be resolved at the lowest possible level in the unit of command and the respondent shall have the right to appeal from an adverse decision to higher authorities; HTcADC

WHEREAS, it has been noted that, in some cases, members of the PNP are presenting their complaints and/or grievances against their superiors direct to outside forum, thereby ignoring the prescribed complaints and grievances procedure within the organization, which is a practice that is detrimental to the unity and interest of the organization;

NOW THEREFORE, this Commission, in the exercise of its constitutional and statutory administration and control functions over the PNP, hereby orders and directs as follows:

SECTION 1. Right to Ventilate Grievances. — Members of the PNP, including senior officers thereof, shall have the right to express their complaints and/or grievances to their superiors and have them heard and adjudicated as expeditiously as possible in the best interest of the service, with due regard to due process in every case.

SECTION 2. Observance of the Complaints and Grievances Procedure. — While members of the PNP have the right to express their complaints and/or grievances, they should observe and ventilate the same within the prescribed complaints and grievances procedure under NAPOLCOM Memorandum Circular No. 93-022 dated November 4, 1993.

Such complaints or grievances shall be resolved at the lowest possible level in the unit of command and the respondent shall have the right of appeal from an adverse decision to higher authorities in the organization.

SECTION 3. Prohibition. — In no case shall members of the PNP ventilate their complaints and/or grievances direct to any forum, outside of the DILG-NAPOLCOM-PNP organization.

SECTION 4. AdministrativeLiability. — Any officer or non-officer of the PNP who shall violate the provisions of this Circular shall be held administratively liable for "Conduct Unbecoming of a Police Officer" and penalized accordingly. CAIHTE

SECTION 5. Effectivity. — This Memorandum Circular shall take effect immediately.

ISSUED, this 7th day of August 1995 at the City of Makati.

(SGD.) RAFAEL M. ALUNAN IIISecretary, DILG and Chairman,

(SGD.) GUILLERMO P. ENRIQUEZ, JR.Commissioner

(SGD.) EDGAR DULA TORRESCommissioner

(SGD.) ALEXIS C. CANONIZADOCommissioner

Attested by:

(SGD.) REYNALDO JD CUADERNODeputy Executive Director IV