Poe urges Purisima to show SALN

Senator Grace Poe. PRIB (file)

MANILA, Philippines – Through leadership by example, Director General Alan Purisima, the Philippine National Police (PNP) Chief, should produce his Statement of Assets, Liabilities and Net Worth (SALN) in order to increase the public trust and confidence in the police force.

“What is important here is the leadership. [There should be] leadership by example to remove doubts. If everything is aboveboard then there should be no apprehensions to show the SALN,” Senator Grace Poe said in an ambush interview Monday.

“For me, reforms in the PNP system are not the only things we want to see. The leadership itself should earn the confidence of everyone, especially for the members of the PNP,” Poe said.

Poe, who chairs the Senate committee on public order and dangerous drugs, previously suspended a hearing that sought to shed light on the current crime situation in the country after Purisima did not attend.

Purisima is also facing allegations of corruption after reports came out that he owns a luxurious “white house” inside Camp Crame. Several groups have called for his resignation.

Poe however said that she doesn’t have any information on alleged ill-gotten wealth of Purisima other than what she has read or seen in the media.

“All questions regarding his office and also perhaps his SALN will be discussed. Now, if there are certain anomalies or inconsistencies that need further investigation, there is a committee in the Senate that deals with the proper conduct of government officials, which is the Blue Ribbon Committee,” Poe said.

The next hearing on the PNP Modernization bills will be held on September 30 and the Senate has invited the PNP Chief himself and not any representative.

When asked whether Purisima has made a commitment to show his SALN, Poe said: “We were told that he will bring it.”

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