Ombudsman to evaluate Senate body report in Purisima probe

Ombudsman Conchita Carpio-Morales. INQUIRER FILE PHOTO

MANILA, Philippines–Ombudsman Conchita Carpio-Morales on Monday said the report of the Senate Committee on Public Order and Dangerous Drugs on Philippine National Police (PNP) Chief Alan Purisima would be also be evaluated by her investigators.

She said in a statement Monday that the formal probe on the accusations against Purisima has already started.

“The Office is already probing the matter,” Morales said in reaction to a senate report urging her to conduct an investigation.

Ombudsman Morales welcomed the finalization of the report of the Senate Committee on Public Order and Dangerous Drugs, adding that “the investigators shall study it as soon as the report is received.”

Purisima and other PNP officials are facing preliminary investigation and administrative adjudication on the cases arising from the allegedly anomalous courier service contract with WERFAST Documentary Agency.

The complaints allege that Purisima and other PNP officials siphoned funds from the mandatory delivery fees paid by gun owners in securing their gun licenses, through the PNP-WERFAST Memorandum of Agreement on courier delivery of firearms license cards. (see OMB press statement of October 9, 2014)

The Office of the Ombudsman has also initiated a case build-up and lifestyle check on Purisima after an anonymous complaint charging him of ill-gotten wealth which was filed on June 25, 2014 and in response to a June 20, 2014 news report of the Philippine Daily Inquirer on the donation for the construction of the “White House” or the PNP Chief’s official residence in Camp Crame.

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