MANILA, Philippines -- Retired police comptroller Eliseo dela Paz is “pained” by the criminal and administrative charges the Philippine National Police (PNP) will be filing against him but, at the same time, sees them as an opportunity to clear his name, his lawyer said Tuesday.

“It’s very painful [for him] now that he’s retired and yet charges are still being filed against him,” said Noel Malaya, legal counsel of Dela Paz and his wife, Maria Fe, in a phone interview.

Dela Paz is facing criminal charges, including malversation of public funds, for the allegedly unauthorized release of a P6.9-million cash advance from the PNP intelligence fund.

PNP Director General Jesus Verzosa also ordered on Monday the filing of administrative charges against Dela Paz for not declaring the money in Russia, where he was accosted by customs officers in Moscow on October 11, as he was about to leave the country after attending the 77th Interpol assembly in St. Petersburg.

Although Dela Paz and his wife were eventually allowed to leave, the money has remained with Russian authorities and the PNP has admitted being uncertain whether it will be returned.

Malaya said the retired police general will face all the charges against him.

“For us it’s a welcome move now that we know what we are up against…we will face the music,” he said.

Malaya also said that Dela Paz will stand by his statement that the money from the PNP intelligence fund was supposed intended to purchase “equipment” in Russia.

“We have presented our side to the fact-finding team of the PNP,” he added.

Malaya said that Dela Paz was doing “okay,” but will not be appearing in public any time soon except in the proper courts.

“I doubt [he’ll be appearing to media]. As his lawyer, on my advice, the proper way of answering all these issues is to wait for the formal charges than to answer it now,” he said.