WHEREAS, under existing laws, rules and regulations, the screening process before issuance of Presidential appointments for senior police officers involve multifarious levels, specifically: (1) evaluation by the PNP Senior Officers Placement and Promotion Board, (2) recommendation by the Chief, PNP; (3) approval by the NAPOLCOM en banc; (4) indorsement by the CSC; and (5) review and evaluation by the Consultative Committee;

WHEREAS, in order to expedite the issuance of urgent appointments by the President to deserving and qualified senior police officers, it is imperative that the mechanisms involved in the review and evaluation of such appointments be streamlined and its jurisdiction be limited within legal parameters;

NOW, THEREFORE,I President Joseph E. Estrada, President of the Republic of the Philippines, by virtue of the powers vested in me by the law, hereby order:

SECTION 1. Reorganization of Consultative Committee. - The Consultative Committee created under Sec. 1 of Executive Order No. 292, s. 1996, is hereby reconstituted with the following membership:

a) The Executive Secretary;

b) The Secretary, DILG/ Chairman, Napolcom;

c) One (1) member of the Senate to be designated by the Senate President;

d) One (1) member of the House of Representative to be designated by the Speaker of the House;

e) Such other members as the President, in his discretion, may designate.

The Executive Secretary shall chair the Committee

SEC. 2. Discretion of the President to Immediately Issue Appointments in Certain Cases. In urgent cases, or when so dictated by the exigency of the service, the President may issue such appointment as may be necessary without the prior evaluation by, or consultation with, the Consultative Committee; Provided, however, that immediately after the issuance of the appointment the Consultative Committee shall be informed thereof accordingly. Provided, further, that no provision in this Executive Order shall be constrained as limiting, amending, or otherwise altering the authority of the President under provisions of existing law with respect to the appointment of Philippine National Police officials.

SEC. 3. Effectivity. - This Executive Order shall take effect immediately.

DONE in the City of Manila, this 22nd   day of December, in the year of the Lord, Nineteen Hundred and Ninety-eight.

(SGD.) JOSEPH EJERCITO ESTRADA
President of the Philippines

By the President:

(SGD.) RONALDO B. ZAMORA
Executive Secretary