First Igorot woman general under fire over P70K shoes, risks pension cut

Tabuk City, Kalinga – The first Igorot woman to reach the rank of general, retired Police Brigadier General Jezebel Imelda Medina, may face a pension deduction if found guilty of complaints filed against her, including neglect of duty and wearing expensive shoes while in uniform.

Medina, a former dentist from Sabangan, Mountain Province, received her star rank on December 12, 2022, making her the first Igorota to attain the rank of general. She previously served as chief of the Philippine National Police Health Service before retiring from the service on December 25, 2025.

On January 6, less than a month after she hung up her uniform, the National Police Commission (NAPOLCOM) said Medina is facing administrative complaints for less grave neglect of duty and conduct unbecoming of a police officer.

The case, filed on December 23, stemmed from two incidents: one involving Medina’s alleged repeated failure to submit the required psychiatric and psychological examination report of another police officer in Quezon City, and another involving her wearing shoes worth ₱70,599 while in PNP uniform.

According to PNP spokesperson Police Brigadier General Randulf Tuaño, Medina may still be penalized despite her retirement. If found guilty, penalties may include deductions from her pension.

“She has already received her retirement benefits, but if she is found guilty, the penalty will be deducted from her pension,” Tuaño said in an interview with national media.

“Kapag nagkaroon ng desisyon later on, assuming po for the sake of argument na ma-find guilty po ’yung ating PNP personnel, ito po ay ibabawas sa kaniyang pension,” he added.

Medina, who joined the PNP through lateral entry in 1993, has yet to issue a statement regarding the complaints filed against her.