Argosy S. Nazareno
PEOPLE’S LAW ENFORCEMENT BOARD
The Government would like you to know that there is (should be) a People’s Law Enforcement Board (PLEB) in every City or Municipality (1 PLEB for every 500 police personnel) that would cater to the adjudication of citizens’ complaints against erring uniformed members of the PNP. It was created through Section 43 of Republic Act 6975 that would work together with the National Police Commission.
DILG of Bohol has been strengthening the PLEB and conducted a Legal Skills Enhancement Training last November 28-29, 2018 at the Bohol Tropics Resort in Tagbilaran City. It was also the venue for the Roll-out of the PLEB’s Online Database System (PODS). These Capacity Enhancement Trainings would aid the members and the secretariat in improving their work.
In the PLEB, the members are the judges. There is no room for amicable settlement – it’s guilty, not guilty or exonerated for lack of substantial evidence. Compromise agreements are prohibited because the government is the offended party. If the complainant wanted an amicable settlement in the first place, he should have gone to a Punong Barangay, not the PLEB. The PLEB has jurisdiction over all uniformed personnel of the Philippine National Police in their respective locality, including Regional Mobile Group (RMG) of the PNP.
The powers of the PLEBs include investigating and adjudicating all administrative charges formally filed with, or referred to it, against any policeman, and to impose corresponding penalties that ranges from the withholding of the privileges, restriction to specified limits, suspension or forfeiture of salary or fine, demotion in rank of not more than one rank or dismissal from the service of the erring cop. The PLEBs are also empowered to administer oaths, summon witnesses, and require the production of documents, records, books, and the like under the subpoena duces tecum.
PLEBs shall be composed of any member of the Sangguniang Panglungsod or Sangguniang Bayan chosen by their respective Sanggunians, any barangay captain of the city or municipality chosen by the Association of Barangay Captains, and three other members from the private sector and among the respected members of the community known for their probity and integrity with three years term of office.
Under the law, the Department of Interior and Local Government (DILG) and the Department of Budget and Management shall withhold the release of the LGUs’ share in the national taxes in cities and municipalities still without PLEBs. LGUs are mandated to include in their annual budget an allocation for the maintenance and operation of their local PLEBs.
The presence of the PLEB should not intimidate our Policemen in doing their job given that they are doing it right. They should not worry because if a complaint has no basis, it would be dismissed right away. Not all policemen are penalized but the board can suspend erring policemen if there is a probable cause. These are provided for by law for check and balance. Citizens are given the avenue and are encouraged to file complaints against abusive policemen hoping to discourage and eliminate wrongdoings. Most of the complainants do not know where to go or where to file a complaint making their grievances being forgotten. Citizens should make the most out of this privilege but not to the extent of abusing the same.