President Benigno Aquino III. INQUIRER FILE PHOTO/GRIG C. MONTEGRANDE
MANILA, Philippines—Sen. Grace Poe urged President Benigno Aquino III “to immediately appoint a capable leader to run” the PNP during [Director General Alan] Purisima’s suspension.
“I hope for an immediate and orderly transition of leadership within the PNP to preserve public order and assure the people’s security this holiday season,” she said in a text message to reporters.
The Senate committee on public order, chaired by Poe, has inquired into allegations linking Purisima to anomalies.
Purisima is facing charges for plunder, graft and indirect bribery over his alleged “hidden mansion” in Nueva Ecija, the construction of his official quarters called the White House in Camp Crame and other charges over the contract with a courier service.
The charges of corruption and ill-gotten wealth have triggered calls for his resignation. Purisima, backed by the President, stood his ground.
Sen. Sergio Osmeña III called on Purisima to quit following the Ombudsman’s order suspending him.
“He should resign, or retire, or whatever. He should remove himself from service already. If he wants, you can call it falling on your sword, on behalf of his boss, the President,” he told reporters.
Osmeña said Purisima should have resigned months ago if only to protect the PNP image.
The Senate public order committee recommended in early November that the Ombudsman further investigate gifts to Purisima, including a donation for his official residence and a big discount on his SUV.
Purisima was investigated for accepting P11.46 million from three construction executives for the construction of his official quarters and for receiving a big discount when he bought a 2013 Land Cruiser.
The committee said the huge discount for the SUV, bought for P1.5 million when its current market value was P4.3 million, amounted to a gift to the PNP chief “by reason of his office.” With a report from Gil Cabacungan
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