Poe: PNP chief Purisima should take a leave

Senator Grace Poe. PRIB FILE PHOTO

MANILA, Philippines—Controversial Philippine National Police (PNP) chief, General Alan Purisima, should take a leave amid ill-gotten wealth and bribery allegations being hurled at him, Senator Grace Poe said on Wednesday.

Poe made the recommendation to Interior Secretary Manuel “Mar” Roxas II during the hearing of the Senate committee on finance on the proposed budged of the Department of Interior and Local Government (DILG) and its attached agencies, including the PNP.

Purisima, who was attending an anti-kidnapping and anti-extortion consultation in Bogota, Colombia, was absent in the hearing.

“I’d like to go back to my appeal to you being the head of the DILG, and I think that personally, I know what you probably think about the situation but as always, you remain prudent–to make the strong recommendations to the president about the importance also of the confidence and the trust of the ones being led by the Chief PNP and that I think that the institution itself is worth saving in terms of the morale of the police officers,” Poe said.

“So I hope at the very at least without saying anybody is guilty , an administrative leave will send a good message just like there are certain senators here who had to be suspended so that they would not influence their office while the trial is going on…,” she said.

Poe was apparently referring to Senators Juan Ponce Enrile, Jose “Jinggoy” Estrada, and Ramon “Bong” Revilla Jr. who are detained and facing graft and plunder charges over their alleged involvement in the pork barrel scam. The Senate has also carried out Sandiganbayan’s suspension orders Enrile and Estrada.

Roxas said he would convey Poe’s recommendation to President Benigno Aquino III.
“Thank you Madam Chair. Since your word carries more weight to the President than mine, then I would transmit it verbatim,” the DILG chief said.

Earlier in the hearing, Poe asked Roxas what recommendation he could give in the case of the PNP chief, who has been accused of bribery and amassing ill-gotten wealth before the Office of the Ombudsman.

Whether the allegations were true or not, Poe said the PNP was being dragged down by the controversies hounding its head.

“Meron kayong kapangyarihan na magrekomenda sa Pangulo kung sa tingin nyo ay makakasama ito sa kabuaan. So tatanungin ko lang po kayo, sa inyo pong pananaw ngayon sa nangyayri, siguro naman nakita nyo ‘yung SALN (Statement of Assets Liabilities and Net Worth) na unang-una kaduda-duda, hindi available sa OP (Office of the President) na lahat naman tayo at some point na-appoint alam nating kailangang mag file du’n. Ang PNP mismo ayaw maglabas…ano po ang marerekomenda n’yo sa Pangulo ukols sa liderato ng PNP?” asked the senator.

(You have the authority to make recommendations to the President if you think that (his case) will be detrimental to the whole organization. So I will just ask you: Amid Purisima’s dubious SALN, what can you recommend to the president with regard to the leadership in the PNP?)

Roxas said the issue was sensitive and complicated that he would rather wait for the President to arrive this week from his Europe and US trips to discuss the matter.

Besides, he said, it would be unfair to talk about the issue since Purisima was not in the country to defend himself.

“As courtesy, wala dito ‘yung tao at dadating sya in about two or three days,” said Roxas.

(As courtesy, the person we’re talking about is not here. He will arrive in two or three days.)

“Ah Secretary , I’m sorry we’ve extended him so much courtesy already and he’s sending a representative who should be able to answer for him…” Poe said.

“I feel that a leader should have a purpose higher than himself and all of us. I feel that it’s unfair to the PNP especially to the others if the topmost person is not even available to defend the institution during a budget hearing…” she added.

In an earlier interview with Radyo Inquirer 990AM, Roxas said that taking a leave is up to the beleaguered police chief.

“Ngayon, ang pagle-leave niya, ay nasa sa kanya. May anti-kidnapping conference siya. Pagbalik niya, malalaman natin ang tugon niya sa mga panawagang ito,” Roxas added.

(Now, taking a leave is up to him. He is attending an anti-kidnapping conference. When he returns, we will hear his response to these calls.)

In the same interview, Roxas maintained that he still trusts Purisima and remains confident in his leadership in the police force.

The Coalition of Filipino Consumers on Monday filed plunder, graft, and indirect bribery charges against Purisima before the Office of the Ombudsman due to his alleged involvement a dubious licensing deal, the P25 million renovation of the “White House”, and his allegedly ill-gotten wealth.

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Originally posted: 11:55 am | Wednesday, September 24th, 2014