Newly installed Philippine National Police chief Director General Ronald “Bato” Dela Rosa brought the house down with his comedy when he thanked dismissed PNP chief Alan Purisima for the makeover of the controversial “White House” in his inaugural speech.
The crowd composed of top police officials, foreign dignitaries and government executives burst into laughter when Dela Rosa acknowledged Purisima for renovating the official residence of the PNP chief inside Camp Crame, or the so-called “White House.”
“Sir, last night my wife and my children moved to White House. And my wife told me, ‘dapat magpasalamat ka kay General Purisima. Ang ganda dito (you should thank General Purisima, the place looks great),’” Dela Rosa said.
Dela Rosa was formally installed as the head of the 160,000-strong PNP. President Rodrigo Duterte administered his oath and promoted him to the four-star rank of Director General.
READ: It’s official: Dela Rosa is new PNP chief
Former PNP chiefs Hermogenes Ebdane, Raul Bacalzo, Arturo Lomibao, Avelino Razon and Nicanor Bartolome were also invited to the ceremony.
The police chief was quick to clarify that he was not picking on Purisima. He said he was sincerely thanking him.
“Hindi ako Sir nangantiyaw. From the heart ito. Hindi namin ma-experience ‘yun (I’m not teasing you, Sir. This is from the heart. We wouldn’t have experienced this) without that White House, Sir,” he said.
In 2013, the PNP chief’s residence was hounded by controversies when reports surfaced that Purisima spent P25 million for the renovation of the 848.72 square-meter property. Purisima said the house needed major repair since it was prone to flooding.
Purisima later denied that the construction was excessively priced. The PNP said it spent only P11 million to refurbish the house.
READ: PNP: Chief’s new house didn’t cost P25M
Dela Rosa also “defended” Purisima, saying his critics were just making up stories to frame up Purisima.
“Masyado silang naiinggit at masyado nilang ginagawan ng istorya si Gen. Purisima. Hindi nila alam ‘yung paghihirap ni Gen. Purisima na hanggang leeg ‘yung baha na na-experience niya doon sa old white house kaya naghanap si Gen. Purisima ng pondo para mapagawa ‘yung new White House. Ang wife ko po ay nag-enjoy. Salamat, sir,” Dela Rosa said, drawing laughter from the audience.
(They are too harsh on Gen. Purisima, they are making stories about him. They don’t know the struggles of Gen. Purisima when the flood was neck-deep in the old White House, so he searched for funds to build the new White House. My wife is enjoying it. Thank you, Sir.)
According to the PNP, the budget for construction was donated by friends of Purisima in the Free and Accepted Masons of the Philippines. But in Purisima’s testimony during a Senate hearing, he retracted the PNP’s earlier statement.
The issue triggered a lifestyle check among PNP officials, starting with Purisima, who faced both administrative and criminal charges for the alleged overpriced construction.
Purisima was arrested last May for the allegedly anomalous P100-million contract for the delivery of gun licenses in 2011. He posted a P30,000 bail the same day he was arrested. CDG/rga
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