ADMINISTRATIVE CASES, REGIONAL INTERNAL AFFAIRS SERVICE 4A, STREAMLINING OF PROCEDURES 

The enactment of Republic Act 6975 dissolved the former Philippine
Constabulary and the Integrated National Police. The two organizations were merged
into one, now called as the Philippine National Police (PNP). During the early period of

its creation, some members of the PNP were involved in illegal activities and violation of
human rights magnified by media practitioners resulting to a tarnished image of the
entire organization. Effort was launched by the PNP in order to weed out erring and
misbehaving members. However, some members of the PNP still followed the wrong
path making the situation more alarming. The congress initiated an action by enacting a
law in order to restore the integrity of the whole organization the Republic Act 8551, that
gave birth to the Internal Affairs Services (IAS) of the PNP. IAS is an independent,
impartial, investigative and adjudicatory body of the PNP. However, after eight years, a
memorandum circular delimited the power of IAS affecting the disposition of
administrative cases it is handling. This study assessed the factors affecting the
disposition of administrative cases being handled by IAS; in particular, it identified the
problems and determined the required measures to resolve the problems.
The research utilized a descriptive method. A survey is conducted with a
sampling design determined using a Slovin formula. The survey is conducted in the
Regional Headquarters of PRO4A and its five provinces with a total of 324 respondents
from PRO4A, RIAS4A and Complainants. It was hypothesized that there is no
significant difference in the respondents’ assessment on the disposition of
administrative cases at RIAS4A. The data used in this study were obtained through
actual interview of the respondents using a structured questionnaire. The profile of the
respondents is presented in frequency and percent distribution while the assessment of
the three groups of respondents is presented through weighted mean and descriptive
rating. ANOVA single factor is used to determine if there is a significant difference
between the respondents’ assessment.
The findings obtained from this study are as follows: RIAS4A personnel have
limited training particularly on the procedures and techniques needed in the filing of
administrative cases against PNP respondents thereby affecting their maximum
effectiveness; PNP respondents are being transferred to other place of assignment
despite of its prohibition which made RIAS4A more efforts to locate them; RIAS4A has a
problem of permanent legal officer, the position is just being occupied in acting capacity
by Legal Officer of RIAS4B whose office is also located at Police Regional Office 4A,
Camp Vicentel Lim, Canlubang, Calamba, Laguna; the plantilla position particularly for
the Legal Officer of RIAS4A is still vacant thereby affecting the conduct of summary
hearing and the resolution of cases; RIAS4A down to the Provincial Level (PIAS) has no
issued vehicle except for one unit being used by personnel of Regional Headquarters;
the authorized strength of RIAS4A has not yet been filled up; and the fiscal autonomy
granted by law was not implemented.
In line with these findings, this research concludes that: the spirit and intent of the
law concerning the Internal Affairs Service is not fully observed which is aggravated by
the NAPOLCOM issuance of Napolcom Memorandum Circular 2007-001;the overall
structure of the RIAS4A is not conducive of attaining excellent performance due to its
depleted strength and having no permanent legal officer since 2009; due to the non-
implementation of fiscal autonomy and the stature of being independent, impartial,
investigative and adjudicatory body, the desired goal of IAS as an institutional watchdog
of the PNP is affected and hindered to attain high degree of effectiveness; and the low
salary grade being offered by the PNP to Legal Officer whose qualification required
must be a lawyer affects its recruitment.