By Lilybeth G. Ison
President Benigno Aquino III has vetoed a proposed measure that would repeal the height requirements for applicants to the Philippine National Police, Bureau of Fire Protection, and the Bureau of Jail Management and Penology.
Deputy Presidential Spokesperson Abigail Valte, in a press briefing Monday, said the President finds the Senate Bill 3217 and House Bill 6203, which propose for the repeal of the height requirement -- 5’4†for male and 5’2†for female -- as "unnecessary" since a waiver of the qualification already exists under certain conditions.
"Whereas height is among these qualifications, a waiver of this qualification is allowed under certain conditions; hence, the total repeal of the height requirement among these service bureaus is unnecessary," according to the veto message of the President.
Valte said the President also cited his apprehension of the concerns propounded by the PNP and the BJMP on the safety of their personnel in the performance of their duties as well as the public safety in general as raised by some quarters.
"Because of the nature of the work of these service bureaus, by way of guarding detainees or escorting criminals, our jail officers must possess the necessary physical attributes to perform their functions effectively. This also applies to our firefighters and to our law enforcers," she said.
Valte said the veto should not be seen as discrimination against those who fall short of the height requirement, believing that a certain height requirement is needed given the nature of the jobs concerned.
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