Robredo exposé questioned

MANILA, Philippines—Lawmakers on Monday questioned the motive of Interior Secretary Jesse Robredo in exposing the allegedly bloated budget for the construction of police stations and purchase of patrol uniforms.

Antipolo Rep. Romeo Acop said Robredo should have disclosed the PNP’s problems to the public only after exhausting all means to resolve them. They should “discuss the issues within their own sphere,” he added.

“The PNP is directly under his agency. Everything that happens there is his responsibility. So why does he need to squeal on them in the media?” said Zambales Rep. Milagros Magsaysay.

Last week, Robredo was reported to have criticized the PNP for an alleged overprice in the construction cost of police stations by P1.6 million each and in the cost of 90,000 pairs of patrol boots and shirts by P60 million.

PNP Director General Nicanor Bartolome said the lower amount quoted by Robredo as the average cost of a municipal police station was an “isolated case” but Robredo rejected his explanation.

Bartolome had said that building a station outside an urban area was cheaper.

Magsaysay said Robredo’s job was not to make exposés like investigative journalists but to offer solutions as one of the administration’s top executives. “People expect results—not just lip service. If he (Robredo) cannot address the issues within his own agency or that of the offices under his agency, then the President should replace him, or he’d better resign,” said Magsaysay.

“There might be demoralization in the PNP, especially if they see their own supervisor or commander embarrassing them in public,” said Acop.