'Trainees' scam' may be source of euros
By Abigail Kwok, Maila Ager
INQUIRER.net
First Posted 10:56:00 11/15/2008
Filed Under: Euro Generals, Military, Graft & Corruption
MANILA, Philippines – (UPDATE) The Philippine National Police trainees’ “scam” is the possible source of the 105,000 euros (P6.9 million) with retired police comptroller Eliseo Dela Paz when he was held briefly by Moscow customs officials early October, Senator Miriam Defensor-Santiago said Saturday.
During the Senate investigation into the Moscow incident, the senator said the “PNP trainees’ scam,” wherein budget allotted for the salary of newly-appointed members of the PNP who undergo training to become policemen was allegedly not immediately granted to them.
During a brief Powerpoint presentation, Santiago said the annual budget provides for the salaries of police recruits from January to December but she cited PNP records that revealed that police recruits were appointed six months or one year later.
Citing Commission on Audit (CoA) reports, Santiago said that for the period of 2005, appointments were made in January to June 2006; in 2006, appointments were made in February 2007.
“Kung hindi tayo nag-aappoint, saan nagpunta itong mga sweldo na ito (If we are not appointing them, where is the salary going)?” Santiago asked, citing that the monthly salary of new PNP recruits amounted to P15,000.
“Walang tumatanggap niyan kasi hindi sila nag-appoint eh. Sinasadya nila (Nobody receives that money because they do not appoint on time. They do it on purpose),” Santiago said, adding that as of 2005, the total amount of money from the PNP trainees’ budget amounted to P623 million.
“Saan napupunta ang pera ng pulis na ito? Hindi sila nag-appoint ng trainees nila (Where does this police budget go? They do not appoint on time). My theory is that this fund of P623 million becomes secret PNP funds,” Santiago said.
“These are government funds but they are illicit government funds. Diyan pwede mong kunin ang travel expenses mo. Pwede mong dalhin sa abroad at deposit sa secret bank accounts mo (You can take the travel expenses there. You can then take it abroad and deposit in your secret bank account),” she added.
In an interview, Santiago said she felt sorry for Dela Paz for allegedly trying to “cover up for his superiors,” referring to PNP Director General Jesus Verzosa and Department of Interior and Local Government Secretary Ronaldo Puno.
“He should not cover up for his superiors. I feel sorry for Dela Paz and I wish he could change his mind,” she said.
Earlier, Dela Paz said the 105,000 euros seized in his possession by Moscow authorities are still intact and will be returned to the PNP in due time.
“Although the amount of 105,000 euros remains still in Russia, I’ve been informed that the amount will be returned to the Philippine National Police in due time,” Dela Paz told the foreign affairs and blue ribbon committees on Saturday.
“There have been no loss to the government then once it is remitted back to us,” he said.
In his opening statement, Dela Paz explained he was unable to immediately surrender himself to the Senate when the arrest order was issued against him last Tuesday.
He said he was out of town visiting his sister, who has been ill.
“I did not proceed to this house soon enough as I wanted to spend a little more time with her,” he said.
“Now, I appear before your honors to answer the questions that you may ask of me mindful of all my rights as a witness in this investigation and hoping that the same be respected,” he said.
Dela Paz reiterated that in his more than 36 years of service for the country, he has not been involved in any financial misdeed.
“I am not going to throw the medals that I have earned as a former military officer and as a police officer. They are the only legacy…that I can give to my family, a loving wife, three daughters, and a visually impaired son,” he further said.
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