Royina Garma Biography: Wikipedia, Age, Education, Career, PNP, CIDG, Husband, Daughter, Net Worth
Royina Garma Biography
Royina Marzan Garma is a retired Filipino police officer and government official known for her significant roles in the Philippine National Police (PNP) and the Philippine Charity Sweepstakes Office (PCSO). Born in Solana, Cagayan Province, she served over 24 years in the police force, where she held key leadership positions such as the Director of the Criminal Investigation and Detection Group (CIDG) in Central Visayas (Region VII) and the Cebu City Police Office Director, becoming the city’s first female police chief.
In 2019, she retired early from the PNP to take on the role of General Manager of the PCSO, appointed by President Rodrigo Duterte. In this position, Garma was responsible for overseeing lottery operations and charity funding programs in the Philippines. Her leadership at PCSO was marked by her efforts to address corruption allegations within the organization.
Recently, Garma has been involved in investigations related to extrajudicial killings during Duterte’s war on drugs. She has faced scrutiny, including being cited in contempt by the House of Representatives for evading questions during hearings regarding her alleged involvement in killings of Chinese nationals in 2016.
Royina Garma Age
Royina Garma is 50 years old as of 2024.
Royina Garma Hometown
Royina Garma’s hometown is Solana, Cagayan Province, Philippines.
Royina Garma Educational Background
Royina Garma has a diverse educational background, which helped shape her successful career in law enforcement and public service. She initially pursued a Bachelor of Science in Mathematics from Cagayan College of Tuguegarao, providing her with a strong analytical foundation.
After completing her undergraduate studies, she entered the Philippine National Police Academy (PNPA), where she graduated as part of the Kapanalig Class of 1997, earning a degree in Public Safety.
Royina Garma Career
Royina Garma’s career has spanned over two decades, during which she made her mark as a high-ranking officer in the Philippine National Police (PNP) and a public servant. Her notable roles in law enforcement and later in government service have earned her recognition for her dedication and leadership. Let’s explore her career journey:
Rise in the PNP
Royina Garma started her career in law enforcement after joining the Philippine National Police Academy (PNPA), graduating in 1997. Over the next 24 years, she built her reputation within the police force by taking on various roles, including station commander, investigator, and director of key units. She particularly stood out for her leadership within the Criminal Investigation and Detection Group (CIDG), where she served as the director for Region VII (Central Visayas).
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Director of CIDG in Central Visayas
One of Garma’s most notable achievements was being appointed as the Director of the Criminal Investigation and Detection Group (CIDG) in Region VII (Central Visayas). This was a key leadership role that tasked her with overseeing high-level investigations into organized crime and criminal syndicates. Under her leadership, the CIDG in Central Visayas made significant strides in solving major crimes and apprehending criminal elements.
Appointment as Cebu City Police Chief
In 2018, Garma was appointed as the first female police chief of Cebu City, one of the largest urban areas in the Philippines. Her appointment to this position marked a significant milestone in her career. She faced numerous challenges in this role, including high crime rates and political tension with the then-Cebu City Mayor, Tommy Osmeña. Despite the strained relationship with the mayor, Garma’s tenure was marked by her commitment to maintaining law and order in the city, as well as implementing measures to improve police performance.
Transition to PCSO
Garma’s career took a turn in 2019 when she retired early from the PNP to accept an appointment as the General Manager of the Philippine Charity Sweepstakes Office (PCSO). President Rodrigo Duterte selected her for this role, which involved overseeing the government-run charity lottery operations. Her leadership in PCSO was focused on restoring public trust after corruption scandals involving her predecessor, Alexander Balutan.
Leadership at PCSO
As General Manager of PCSO, Garma’s role was pivotal in managing the office’s various lottery operations that fund healthcare and charity programs across the Philippines. During her tenure, she emphasized transparency and integrity, aiming to repair the agency’s reputation following the controversies it had faced. She worked closely with government bodies to ensure the proper allocation of funds, continuing to serve in this role until 2023.
Departure from PCSO
In 2023, Garma stepped down from her position at PCSO. Her departure marked the end of her official involvement in public administration, although her legacy in the police force and her time at PCSO left an indelible mark. Despite challenges during her time in office, Garma’s transition from law enforcement to a national administrative role was seen as a significant achievement.
Royina Garma Controversies
Recently, Royina Garma has been involved in several controversies, particularly regarding her association with the Duterte administration’s war on drugs. In 2024, Garma was implicated in the extrajudicial killings of three Chinese nationals in 2016, during her time in the CIDG. These individuals were reportedly involved in drug-related crimes, and Garma was accused of relaying instructions from former President Duterte to execute them. This led to her being summoned by a House committee investigating the war on drugs.
During her appearance before the House of Representatives quad committee in September 2024, Garma was cited in contempt for evading questions regarding her role in the killings and her relationship with Duterte. Lawmakers were particularly concerned with her evasive responses about her transition from law enforcement to her appointment as PCSO General Manager. As a result, Garma was detained by the House until she agreed to fully cooperate with the ongoing investigation.
Royina Garma Personal Life
Royina Garma is a single mother whose marriage was annulled. She has one daughter. Further details about her family life, including her ex-husband, are not publicly available as she maintains a level of privacy regarding her personal life.
Royina Garma Net Worth
Royina Garma has an estimated net worth of $1.5 million as of 2024.
FAQs
Who is Royina Garma?
Royina Marzan Garma is a retired Filipino police officer and former General Manager of the Philippine Charity Sweepstakes Office (PCSO). She also served as Cebu City’s first female police chief and held various leadership roles within the Philippine National Police (PNP).
What is Royina Garma’s most significant achievement in law enforcement?
She became the first female police chief of Cebu City in 2018 and was known for leading the Criminal Investigation and Detection Group (CIDG) in Region VII (Central Visayas).
Where is Royina Garma from?
Royina Garma hails from Solana, Cagayan Province, Philippines.
When did Royina Garma become the head of PCSO?
Garma was appointed by President Rodrigo Duterte as the General Manager of PCSO in 2019, after retiring from the PNP.
Why was Royina Garma detained in 2024?
She was detained by the House of Representatives in September 2024 after being cited in contempt for allegedly evading questions related to the killings of three Chinese nationals during the Duterte administration’s war on drugs.
How long did Royina Garma serve in the PNP?
Garma served for over 24 years in the PNP, holding various high-profile roles including director of the CIDG in Central Visayas and chief of the Cebu City police.