Ex-PNP chief Purisima seeks permission for US travel to visit son

Former PNP chief Alan Purisima
INQUIRER FILE PHOTO/RAFFY LERMA

Embattled former Philippine National Police (PNP) chief Alan Purisima on Thursday asked permission from the Sandiganbayan to allow him to travel to the United States for three weeks in September.

READ: Court bars departure of Purisima as he faces

In a motion to travel abroad filed before the antigraft court’s sixth division, counsel Ponciano Corpus said Purisima will visit his son Jason Arvi, who is studying at the Culinary Institute of America at St. Helena in California.

“Prior to the filing of the present case, particularly on March 15, 2016, accused Purisima, together with his family, scheduled a flight to the United States of America from September 5 to 27, 2016… Accused Purisima will be staying at 1108 Pintail Drive, Suison City, California USA 94585,” the motion read.

Last May, the Sandiganbayan issued a hold departure order against Purisima and 16 others amid graft charges over an anomalous courier deal in 2011.

Purisima and former police officers were charged with one count of graft for acting allegedly with manifest partiality, evident bad faith and gross inexcusable negligence when they awarded the courier contract and gave unwarranted benefit to WerFast Documentary Agency, Inc.

READ: Purisima faces graft over anomalous carrier deal

Citing Section 6, Article III of the 1987 Constitution, Purisima’s camp said his travel abroad “does not, in any means, impair the interest of national security, public safety or public health.”

“Accused Purisima also manifests that he is willing to post such bond as this Honorable Court may deem proper conditioned to his return to the Philippines after his above-mentioned travel,” the motion added. CDG/rga