On February 14, 2022, President Rodrigo Roa Duterte appointed former Department of Environment and Natural Resources (DENR) Undersecretary Edilberto Dela Cruz Leonardo to become one of the Commissioners of the National Police Commission (NAPOLCOM). Commissioner Leonardo, who represents the law enforcement sector, shall serve a six-year fixed term. His appointment was issued to replace former Commissioner Felizardo M. Serapio, Jr. whose term of office ended on February 11, 2022.
Prior to his appointment to NAPOLCOM, Commissioner Leonardo was the Undersecretary for Protected Areas and Special Concerns of the DENR while serving as the concurrent Executive Director of the Anti-Illegal Logging Task Force.
Commissioner Leonardo also served as the former Regional Chief of the Criminal Investigation and Detection Group Regional Field Unit of Police Regional Office 11 until his retirement from the police service on September 29, 2020.
In the course of working full-time in the Philippine National Police (PNP), he took up classes at the Rizal Memorial Colleges in Davao City where he completed his Master of Arts in Educational Management in 2009 and consequently obtained his Executive Doctorate degree in Leadership – Public Management at the University of Makati in 2019.
During his oathtaking, Commissioner Leonardo expressed a mixed feeling of enthusiasm and eagerness to take on the challenge as the newly appointed NAPOLCOM Commissioner.
“All I can say is I will do my best at least to approximate the gold standard set by NAPOLCOM under the good leadership of Secretary Año and able stewardship of Vice Chairman Aguirre II. From this day onwards, I will work vigorously with the same zeal and dedication I have done in my previous professional engagements despite of the demanding and challenging tasks ahead of me,” Comr. Leonardo said.
He also stressed his respect in government service, regardless of form and substance which, he believes, should be carried out with a deep sense of honor, pride, and commitment.
At present, the NAPOLCOM is chaired by DILG Secretary Eduardo M. Año with Vice Chairman and Executive Officer (VCEO) Vitaliano N. Aguirre II, Commissioner Job M. Mangente, Commissioner Zenonida F. Brosas and Commissioner Leonardo, as regular members, and PNP Chief Police General Dionardo B. Carlos as ex-officio Commissioner.
“The NAPOLCOM welcomes the well-deserved appointment of Commissioner Leonardo and we assure him of our support and guidance. His vast experience in law enforcement and in the DENR will definitely be an asset to the Commission,” VCEO Aguirre II said.
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