PADPAO membership is not a mandatory requirement for private security agencies (PSAs) applying for license to operate (LTO), Supervisory Office for Security and Investigation Agencies (SOSIA) affirmed.

SecurityMatters obtained a copy of the letter addressed to Department of Budget and Management (DBM) Secretary Florencio Abad in which SOSIA chief, PC/Supt. Noel G. Constantino, asked the DBM to intercede and notify all concerned government entities on this matter.

Constantino stated that to date, PSAs are still being required by government agencies, LGUs, GOCCs, and public entities to present their PADPAO membership certificate during public bidding processes.

He reiterated that effective February 3, 2012, SOSIA has already declared PADPAO membership certification and fees no longer mandatory. He said collection of such fee is in violation of Section 8, Article III of the Constitution on the right to association.

SOSIA, which is under the Civil Security Group of the Philippine National Police, is the regulatory entity of PSAs, not PADPAO.