Ombudsman hits ‘selective justice’ claim, cites Purisima sacking
Ombudsman Conchita Carpio Morales on Wednesday dismissed Vice President Jejomar Binay’s allegations of selective justice in the administration, saying the sacking of resigned police chief Alan Purisima was proof of the antigraft body’s independence from politics.
In a press conference, the feisty former Supreme Court justice said Purisima’s dismissal had long been coming even though the police general was a long-time friend of President Benigno Aquino III.
Morales said if the antigraft body was being selective, she would have sat down on the administrative case against Purisima who, as part of the Presidential Security Group of then President Corazon Aquino, saved the younger Aquino’s life during coup attempts against the administration of his late mother.
“That’s the best argument against selective justice. Kung nakatulong ka pag-survive ng buhay mo, natural na may gratitude ka,” Morales said, referring to the ties that bind Purisima and Aquino.
“In light of that, kung totoo na ang mga hindi kaalyado ni Pangulo ay hinahabla namin, eh di sana I would have spared Purisima. I would have sat on his case. Pero tapos na ang investigation,” Morales added.
Purisima was sacked with Central Luzon Police Director Raul Petrasanta (formerly from the PNP Firearms and Explosives Office) for the administrative offenses of grave misconduct, serious dishonesty and grave abuse of authority for their alleged involvement in a P100-million shady deal with a bogus private courier service company Wer Fast Documentary Agency Inc. (Werfast).
The PNP signed a deal for delivery of renewed gun licenses to Werfast even though the company had no track record, machinery or manpower in the courier service.
The Ombudsman said Purisima signed the memorandum accrediting Werfast despite its questionable track record.
“Evidence shows not only that Purisima knew what he was doing in signing Meneses’ memorandum but that he himself exerted pressure and coercion over the subordinates on behalf of Werfast,” read the Ombudsman’s decision, referring to Police Director Gil Meneses, former chief of the civil security group, who approved the accreditation of Werfast.
The Ombudsman said it was still conducting preliminary investigation over Purisima, Petrasanta, and the other respondents for their alleged violation of Republic Act No. 3019 or the Anti-Graft and Corrupt Practices Act.
