President Ferdinand R. Marcos Jr. administered the oath of office on Thursday to retired general Benjamin Acorda Jr., naming him the new executive director of the Presidential Anti-Organized Crime Commission (PAOCC). Acorda, a member of the Philippine Military Academy Class of 1991, previously served as the 29th chief of the Philippine National Police (PNP) from April 2023 to April 2024.
Acorda’s extensive career includes key roles such as pioneer of the PNP Anti-Cybercrime Group, deputy director of the National Capital Region Police Office, director of the Integrity Monitoring and Enforcement Group, chief of staff of the Civil Security Group, and chief of the Anti-Fraud and Commercial Crimes Division. Prior to his PNP leadership, he was the PNP director for Intelligence from August 2022 to April 2023 and director of Police Regional Office 10 (Northern Mindanao) from November 2021 to August 2022.
The PAOCC, established under Executive Order 295 (series of 2000), is responsible for investigating and prosecuting organized crime groups, corrupt officials, conducting intelligence operations, and developing anti-crime strategies. The agency has been actively involved in efforts against illegal Philippine Offshore Gaming Operators.
Acorda replaces Gilbert Cruz, who will be appointed to another government position, as part of ongoing efforts to strengthen the commission’s operations.