Metro Manila Development Authority (MMDA) General Manager and former Philippine National Police (PNP) chief Nicolas Torre III has raised concerns over what he described as a “trial by publicity” regarding the administrative proceedings of a police officer involved in a viral confrontation in Pasig City.
The incident, which gained widespread traction online last week, showed a police officer allegedly pushing a motorcycle rider off his vehicle along a busy road, sparking public outrage and immediate calls for administrative action.
While stressing that rogue police personnel must face consequences, Torre warned against premature public judgment that compromises due process, cautioning authorities against sacrificing officers for the sake of public approval.
“Kapag ang pulis ay mali, dapat managot. Walang argumento diyan. Pero kapag ang pulis ay ginagawang convenient sacrificial lamb para sa public applause, ibang usapan na iyon,” Torre said.
The MMDA chief directed sharp criticism toward certain officials of the National Police Commission (NAPOLCOM). He argued that the commission is duty-bound to uphold fairness and impartiality rather than issuing public pronouncements that seem to pre-judge ongoing cases.
“Hindi puwedeng ang NAPOLCOM—na dapat tagapagtanggol ng fairness at due process—ay nagiging venue ng trial by publicity at premature judgment,” he added.
Torre also addressed remarks attributed to lawyer Atty. Ralph Calinisan, pointing out that law enforcers who are merely doing their jobs often become “convenient targets” of public backlash.
He noted that such rush to judgment inflicts severe reputational damage on officers and their households long before formal hearings conclude.
“Maraming pulis ang tahimik lang, nagtatrabaho lang… pero nasisira ang pangalan, karera, at pamilya dahil sa mga padalos-dalos na pronouncement,” he stated.
Reiterating that disciplinary mechanisms must balance accountability with protection against unfair treatment, Torre emphasized that administrative adjudications should strictly rely on evidence and proper proceedings rather than media exposure or public pressure.
“Kapag ang judge ay nauuna ang hatol kaysa proseso, hindi na due process ang tawag diyan—prejudice na,” Torre warned. “Let evidence decide—not headlines, not noise.”