Luxury shoes put first woman Igorot police general under Napolcom scrutiny

BAGUIO, Philippines – More than three years ago, she was feted for being the first woman Igorot police general. Now, because of her shoes, she is in hot water.

A pair of Balenciaga shoes worth more than P70,000 put the police general under the National Police Commission’s microscope, raising questions about the standards expected of senior officers.

Police Brigadier General Jezebel Imelda Medina has been administratively charged with neglect of duty and conduct unbecoming of a police officer, in a move seen to enforce discipline and accountability within the Philippine National Police (PNP).

In a statement released Tuesday, January 6, the Napolcom said its Inspection, Monitoring, and Investigation Service had administratively charged Medina with less grave neglect of duty and conduct unbecoming of a police officer, citing two separate concerns tied to her conduct while in senior command.

One administrative charge relates to what the Napolcom described as the public display of an allegedly extravagant luxury item while Medina was wearing her police uniform.

The item – footwear estimated to be worth about P70,600 – is nearly equivalent to a month’s basic salary of a police brigadier general, the statement said.

Napolcom said the incident raised concerns about adherence to standards of modest living and ethical conduct expected of public officials, particularly senior police officers, whose actions are seen as setting an example for the rank and file.

“Integrity, discipline, and obedience to lawful authority are not optional,” the commission said, adding that these principles are fundamental obligations owed by police officers to the public.

It emphasized that rank does not exempt any official from accountability and that conduct undermining public trust in the police institution would be investigated and addressed under the law.

The Napolcom said it would continue to pursue measures aimed at strengthening transparency and accountability within the police service.

Another administrative charge stemmed from Medina’s tenure as director of the PNP Health Service, during which, according to the Napolcom, she repeatedly failed to comply with directives to submit a psychiatric and psychological examination report involving a police patrolman assigned to the Quezon City Police District.

The patrolman was under scrutiny for alleged seditious vlogging activities.

The Napolcom said the refusal to submit the report has been seen as a willful disregard of its authority, which is mandated under the Constitution and existing laws to exercise administrative control and supervision over the PNP.

Medina has not issued a public response to the allegations as of Tuesday.

From Sabangan, Mountain Province, Medina earned her star in December 2022. A dentist, she entered the ranks through lateral entry in 1993. – Rappler.com