Lacson to PNP chief: Go on leave or retire early

MANILA, Phiippines – Rehabilitation Secretary Panfilo Lacson on Friday, September 26, urged Philippine National Police Chief Alan Purisima to volunteer to go on leave or even retire early amid graft and plunder charges against him.

Lacson said in an interview on ANC that this would  spare President Benigno Aquino III  the “agony” of deciding on what do with Purisima, who is facing graft and plunder charges before the Office of the Ombudsman.

Responding to questions, Lacson suggested that since Purisima and Aquino have known each other for some time, the PNP chief should first initiate a heart-to-heart talk with Aquino, and tell him whether the allegations against him are true or false. (READ: Aquino, General Purisima and the ties that bind them)

“I believe that because of their long-standing relationship and their respect for each other, I don’t think General Purisima would lie to President Aquino and deny the allegations against him if true,” Lacson said in Filipino.

If such a discussion cannot happen, Lacson said Purisima should volunteer to either  go on leave pending the investigation, or retire early.

“Kung hindi naman puwedeng maganap ‘yon, puwedeng on his own, if in his heart of hearts alam niyang may katotohanan ‘yung mga accusation sa kanya, i-spare niya ang Pangulo sa agony ng kung ano and dapat gawin sa kanya. Siya na ang magkusang loob na magsabing magbabakasyon muna ako, o kaya extended leave, o kaya magreretire na po ako,” Lacson said.

(If that discussion cannot happen, he can, on his own, if in his heart of hearts he knows the accusations against him are true, he should spare the President the agony of what should be done with him. He should volunteer and say, I will take a vacation first, or go an extended leave, or I would retire now.) 

Purisima, who was appointed PNP chief in 2012, is due to retire when he reaches the mandatory retirement age of 56 in November 2015.

Senator Grace Poe, chairperson of the Senate committee on public order and dangerous drugs, had earlier urged Purisima to go on administrative leave pending his investigation.

The President has repeatedly defended Purisima from allegations ranging from incompetence in addressing rising criminality in the country, to corruption.

His latest defense of Purisima was in a media interview during a working visit to New York on September 23, when he vouched for the integrity of the PNP chief. He said he does not know the PNP chief to be a “luxurious or greedy” person, when asked about complaints against the police official. (READ: Aquino defends Purisima: He is not luxurious or greedy)

Purisima faces graft, plunder and indirect bribery charges over an alleged undervalued property and the renovation of his multi-million official residence at the general police headquarters in Camp Crame.

A anti-crime watchdog had earlier demanded his resignation over his alleged failure to stem increasing criminality in the country. – Rappler.com