MANILA, Philippines – Ahead the release of her Senate committee’s report on proposed reforms in the Philippine National Police (PNP), Senator Grace Poe said on Tuesday, October 28, said she will be recommending “further investigation” into allegations of ill-gotten wealth against its chief. 

In a chance interview with reporters, Poe said “certain questions” need to be asked about PNP chief Director General Alan Purisima’s Statement of Assets, Liabilities, and Net Worth (SALN).

“Leadership and moral ascendancy – that’s important in the PNP, that’s part of the reforms,” Poe told reporters. 

“Without even trying, when you look at [Purisima’s] SALN. I think we will me remiss if we don’t point out certain clarifications that need to be made [regarding] certain inconsistencies,” she added. 

The PNP chief faces at least 3 plunder raps before the Ombudsman over a “donation” received to build his official residence inside a police camp, an allegedly anomalous deal in the PNP, and a “underdeclared” property in Nueva Ecija. 

Purisima faced the Senate during a hearing led by Poe to answer allegations against him. During the hearing, he admitted the controversial “White House” was a donation made by his friends from the construction industry but clarified that none of them had contracts with the PNP. 

The PNP chief also insisted his Nueva Ecija home was built through hard work, and is anything but anomalous.

Ombudsmas, IAS probe  

Pressed for details, Poe said she did not want to preempt the release of the official report, but said they would be asking “responsible agencies” for “further investigation” into the allegations against the country’s top cop. 

She did not say when the report would be released, but said it was being drafted. 

Agencies tasked to probe complaints against police personnel include the National Police Commission (Napolcom), the PNP’s own Internal Affairs Service (IAS), and the Ombudsman. “Initially we were thinking the [Department of Justice] but it’s the Ombudsman that [has the lead],” said Poe. 

PNP reform 

The senator also raised alarm over the PNP’s current system, wherein the IAS, a PNP office headed by a commissioner officer, is the one tasked to probe its own men and women. Poe wants a civilian to head the IAS instead. 

Still, the senator said, she wants the IAS to produce its own report into allegations against its chief. “Regardless, we would like to see what their abilities are in producing a report,” she said. 

In the aftermath of the Senate probe, Purisima allowed members of the media into his controversial Nueva Ecija home. Although Poe praised the PNP chief’s “transparency,” she said more questions needed to be asked about the property, reportedly worth P4.7 million, based on Purisima’s 2013 SALN. 

“Maybe he really can afford the property [from the earnings of a trucking business he owns]. That’s one thing that should be checked,” said Poe. 

Typically it’s the Senate’s blue ribbon committee that tackles allegations of corruption against public officials, but Poe said the committee was “pre-occupied with other things,” referring to an ongoing probe into allegations of corruption against Vice President Jejomar Binay. 

Poe said, however, that her committee was able to at least scratch the surface. 

Despite the allegations against him, Purisima continues to enjoy the confidence of no less than the President Benigno Aquino II, a long-time friend of his. – Rappler.com