Metropolitan Manila Development Authority (MMDA) General Manager and former Philippine National Police (PNP) chief Nicolas Torre III on Friday, May 15, slammed National Police Commission (NAPOLCOM) Commissioner Ralph Calinisan, accusing him of conducting “trial by publicity” and rendering premature judgment against police personnel.
“Kapag ang pulis ay mali, dapat managot. Walang argumento diyan. Pero kapag ang pulis ay ginagawang convenient sacrificial lamb para sa public applause, ibang usapan na iyon,” Torre said.
Torre said NAPOLCOM, which is mandated to uphold fairness and due process, has instead become a venue for premature conclusions against the police.
“Hindi puwedeng ang NAPOLCOM—na dapat tagapagtanggol ng fairness at due process—ay nagiging venue ng trial by publicity at premature judgment,” he said.
Torre directed his sharpest words at Calinisan’s practice of holding press conferences before formal hearings conclude, saying it prejudices the outcome of administrative cases.
“Anong klase kang adjudicator kung sa umpisa pa lang—hindi mo pa naririnig ang buong panig, hindi pa nga lubusang naihahain ang kaso, wala pang formal hearing—naka-presscon ka na at malinaw nang sinasabi mong mali ang pulis at nakakahiya ang kanilang ginawa?” Torre said.
He warned that evidence surfacing during actual hearings—documents, witnesses, CCTV footage, and other facts—could contradict positions already declared publicly, leaving Calinisan unable to demonstrate impartiality.
“Kapag ang judge ay nauuna ang hatol kaysa proseso, hindi na due process ang tawag diyan—prejudice na,” Torre said, adding that police personnel whose reputations and careers have been damaged by what he called reckless pronouncements may have strong grounds for appeal to higher authorities.
Torre’s statement came on the same day that DZRH News anchor Anthony Taberna also called out NAPOLCOM under Calinisan’s leadership for what he described as shaming the police officer who pushed the motorcycle of a rider along Lanuza Avenue in Pasig City.
