‘Ombudsman’s order of suspension, lifestyle check on Purisima inescapable’

By: Julliane Love De Jesus - 10 years ago

MANILA, Philippines—Once the Ombudsman orders either a probe on Philippine National Police (PNP) chief Director General Alan Purisima’s lifestyle or his suspension, he cannot get away from it.

Senior Superintendent Robert Po, ‎the newly-appointed spokesperson of Purisima, said in a Tuesday press briefing‎ when asked if his boss would welcome an investigation on his alleged Nueva Ecija mansion.

Po also said the Office of the O‎mbudsman has started the lifestyle check on Purisima.

“I think that when the Ombudsman says that there has to be an ocular inspection, I can say he can’t do away with that and I think the PNP chief will welcome that especially if it’s coming from the Ombudsman,” he said.

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Senior Superintendent Robert Po. FILE PHOTO

“Just (to) make it a point that what he is saying after all that it is not a mansion will be proven.”

On Monday, Purisima bared his controversial property in San Leonardo, Nueva Ecija to prove to the media and his critics that his 4.7-hectare property was not a “luxurious estate.”

Reports surfaced that representatives from the Ombudsman came with the media in Nueva Ecija to scrutinize Purisima’s ‎property. Military and Other Law Enforcement Officers (MOLEO) agents from the graft-investigating body ‎were said to have led the inspection.

This was neither denied nor confirmed by Po.

But he said: “If experts will come from the Ombudsman, he will abide by that.”

‎”They (Ombudsman) can hire someone. They can hire experts as long as those are being hired by the government entities. They can do that,” he added.

In the event that inconsistencies ‎would be found on Purisima’s statement of assets, liabilities and net worth (SALN) that could be a ground for his suspension, what would Purisima do?

Po said, “Maski sinong police o tauhan ng government ang isuspend, walang tatanggi (No government personnel or policeman can disregard suspension order). They will have to abide by the Ombudsman.”