Ex-police director in ‘euro generals’ case to be slapped with criminal charges

MANILA, Philippines—Acting Ombudsman Orlando C. Casimiro ordered the filing of criminal charges against former Philippine National Police (PNP) Police Director for Comptrollership Eliseo D. de la Paz and his wife in connection with the so-called euro generals case.

In a resolution, Casimiro approved the filing of a case for violation of Circular No. 507 of the Bangko Sentral ng Pilipinas (BSP) against De la Paz and his wife, Maria Fe.

The circular penalizes any person who brings into or takes out of the Philippines foreign currency in excess of $10,000 and fails to declare the same in writing. Failure to disclose in writing is penalized under the BSP circular in relation to Section 36 of Republic Act 7653 (New Central Bank Act).

Investigation conducted by the Ombudsman showed that De la Paz failed to declare 105,000  euros in their possession at the time they left the Philippines to join the PNP delegation to the 77th Interpol General Assembly last October 7-11, 2008, at St. Petersburg, Russian Federation.

At the same time, De la Paz is also slapped with a case for violation of Article 237 of the Revised Penal Code for Prolonging the Performance of Duties and Powers.

“De la Paz wilfully and unlawfully continued to exercise the powers and duties of his office as police director for comptrollership by attending the said general assembly in St. Petersburg despite knowing fully well that he reached the compulsory age of retirement of 56 on 9 October 2008,” Casimiro said.