MANILA, Philippines – After almost a week of silence amid allegations of corruption and ineptitude, Philippine National Police (PNP) chief Director General Alan Purisima is set to the face the Senate committee on public order and dangerous drugs on Tuesday, September 30.

The committee, chaired by Senator Grace Poe, will be discussing PNP modernization bills, as well as resolutions probing the “increase” in criminality in the country.

Poe reprimanded the PNP chief during the committee’s last hearing on September 16, lamenting his absence in a hearing that would tackle key reforms in the 150,000-strong police force.

The hearing comes as the country’s top cop faces at least 3 plunder raps before the Ombudsman over alleged shady deals within the PNP, under-declared wealth, and the construction of the PNP chief’s “White House” inside Camp Crame. (READ: Who funded the PNP chief’s ‘White House?’)

Both the office of Poe and the PNP, through spokesman Senior Superintendent Wilben Mayor, have confirmed that Purisima would be attending the Tuesday hearing.

No response yet

Should he be asked about the allegations against him, it would be the first time Purisima addressed the allegations himself. 

Former PNP spokesman Chief Superintendent Reuben Theodore Sindac said last week Purisima would address the allegations “at the right time and venue.”

The 2nd plunder case was filed just as Purisima left the country to attend foreign conferences. A series of media reports exposing Purisima’s allegedly under-declared properties were aired the weekend of his trip.

Various anti-crime groups have asked Purisima and even Interior and Local Government Secretary Manuel Roxas II to resign over the perceived increase in criminality.

Poe herself has called on Purisima to take a leave amid the corruption allegations. Former PNP chief and Office of the Presidential Assistant for Rehabilitation and Recovery chief Panfilo Lacson, meanwhile, has called on Purisima to take a leave or retire early.

Controversies

Two weeks ago, a visibly peeved Poe questioned why Purisima did not show up, instead opting to send his subordinates. Sindac explained it was a case of “miscommunication” and that they thought Purisima’s presence was not needed.

Poe, in turn, refused to call another hearing until Purisima committed to attending the hearing.

Before closing the September 16 hearing, Poe criticized Purisima for letting his spokespersons and President Benigno Aquino III himself do the explaining for him.

“We are not condemning the entire organization. But we were hoping that its father would come here to defend it,” she said.

Aquino has publicly defended Purisima at least twice, more recently during a trip to New York. The President, who has known Purisima since 1987, vouched for the police general’s character.

“Hindi po natin kilala ang taong ito bilang maluho o matakaw (We do not know this person to be luxurious or greedy),” said Aquino.

The President and Purisima go a long way. Purisima was once part of the Presidential Security Group tasked to protect Aquino, the only son of the late President Corazon Aquino.

The Palace, in a previous press conference, assured the public that Aquino’s close ties with Purisima would not get in the way of any possible investigation.

Even before the corruption complaints, the PNP was in hot water over a series of high-profile crimes, some of which involved PNP personnel. (READ: Cops involved in viral EDSA incident)

The Department of the Interior and Local Government (DILG) has since announced plans of launching a lifestyle check on PNP personnel, starting from “star-rank” officers or the PNP’s generals. – Rappler.com