LOOK: PNP chief’s ‘White House’ shown to media

Video by RYAN  LEAGOGO/INQUIRER.net

For the first time since its allegedly overpriced construction in 2013, the controversial “White House,” the official residence of the Philippine National Police chief, was shown to the media.

This was after newly-installed PNP chief Director General Ricardo Marquez instructed the PNP Public Information Office to allow the media inside the White House compound inside Camp Crame.

READ: Media to get a peek of ‘White House’ at Camp Crame

Marquez opened the PNP chief’s residence “for closure and transparency.”

However, PNP spokesperson Chief Superintendent Wilben Mayor, who showed reporters around the area, said media were not allowed inside the houses “for security purposes.”

The compound is highly-secured with at least 10 members of the elite Special Action Force guarding it.

The new PNP chief said he will start moving in to the White House this weekend.

READ: Camp Crame’s ‘White House’ readied for new PNP chief

Inside the compound are two White Houses–the old and the reconstructed, and an octagonal reception area.

According to Mayor, the old residence with a 290-square meter floor area was built in 1985 while the new building is bigger with a total floor area of 848.72 square meters.

It is located beside the Santolan Gate of Crame. During dismissed Director General Alan Purisima’s time, members of the media were not allowed to enter the White House.

The PNP chief’s residence was hounded by controversies when reports surfaced that the PNP spent P25 million for the construction of the new house.

Denying reports that the construction was excessively priced, the PNP said it only cost P11,462,745.

According to the PNP, the budget for construction was donated by friends of Purisima in the Free and Accepted Masons of the Philippines. However the PNP, through Purisima’s testimony during a Senate hearing, retracted its earlier statement.

Interior Secretary Manuel “Mar” Roxas then submitted to the Senate committee on finance a list of donors who contributed for the White House construction.

Roxas said a deed of donation was entered into by Mr. Carlos Gonzales for Ulticon Builders, Atty. Alexander Lopez for Pacific Concrete Corporation, Christopher Pastrano of CAPP Industries as the donors with Purisima as the donee or recipient.

READ: Roxas bares list of ‘White House’ donors

The issue had triggered a lifestyle check among PNP officials, starting with Purisima, who faced both administrative and criminal charges over the alleged overpriced construction. IDL