NEW NBI CHIEF REMINDED: LACSON WILL NOT USE 'PAST ASSOCIATIONS' TO OBSTRUCT HIS WORK

New National Bureau of Investigation Director Magtanggol Gatdula
should know better: Sen. Panfilo M. Lacson never - and will not - use
past associations to keep him from performing his duty.

The reminder came Sunday from retired Chief Inspector Ricardo Dandan,
himself a former subordinate of Lacson at the Philippine National
Police, and currently administrative officer of Sen. Lacson’s office.

"Director Gatdula should know Sen. Lacson better. He won't use their
past association to make him not perform his job," said Dandan, who
like Gatdula was under Lacson’s command at the defunct Presidential
Anti-Organized Crime Task Force (PAOCTF).

President Aquino had named Gatdula to head the NBI. Gatdula had said
there will be no letup in the bureau’s efforts to pursue the
Dacer-Corbito case, amid apprehensions his being a former subordinate
of Lacson may affect his work.

Before being named to the NBI, Gatdula headed the PNP Directorate for
Information and Communications Management. He also headed the Quezon
City Police District (QCPD).

On the other hand, Dandan said Lacson never informed Gatdula of how he
used "persuasive tactics" to ensure Gatdula’s first "star" - or a
promotion to the rank of Chief Superintendent.

"As far as I know, the senator used his 'persuasive tactics' during
the hearings of the Commission on Appointments and budget
deliberations last year to get Director Gatdula his first PNP 'star
promotion.' This is because the senator was aware that like his other
former subordinates in PAOCTF, he was being cast out and crucified by
the past administration," Dandan said.