Plunder, graft raps filed vs. PNP chief Purisima

A consumers' rights group has filed plunder, bribery and graft charges against Philippine National Police chief Director General Alan Purisima in connection with a mansion in Nueva Ecija and the renovation of the PNP chief's official quarters inside Camp Crame, GMA News' "24 Oras" reported Monday.

 

According to Purisima's Statements of Assets, Liabilities and Net Worth (SALN) in 2012 and 2013, the Nueva Ecija property located in San Leonardo town was acquired for P1.2 million in 2002. Its present market value is at P3.75 million.

 

"Nakakamangha po 'yong property po doon [sa Nueva Ecija]. That is the reason why we opened this... Base nga po sa isang kausap kong arkitekto, baka bakod lang po ang P3.7 million," said Perfecto Jaime Tagalog, secretary-general of the Coalition of Filipino Consumers.

 

The group filed the charges before the Office of the Ombudsman on Monday.  It called on President Benigno Aquino III and Interior Secretary Manuel Roxas II to remove Purisima from his influential post.

 

"Hamon namin ito kay Secretary Mar Roxas. Hindi siya (Purisima) kailangan ng sambayanang Pilipino. Unang-una bilang pinuno, dapat ikaw ay nagsasabi ng totoo sa iyong sinusumpaang tungkulin. Panawagan din namin sa ating mahal na Presidente," Tagalog said.

 

The group also questioned the renovation of the PNP chief's official residence that some reports say costs P25 million, something that the PNP leadership has denied.

The complainants wanted to know who the donors were to determine whether there would be any conflict of interest in the case of the national police.

Purisima's office said the PNP chief was on an official trip to Colombia. It said Purisima would answer the allegations against him at the proper time.

Roxas expressed confidence that Purisima would be able to explain the issues raised against him.

"I'm sure maipapaliwanag niya yan lahat. Kami ay nagfa-file ng SALN," Roxas said in an interview.

Aquino had defended Purisima from calls for the latter's ouster, saying the PNP was able to solve crimes that even involved police officers under Purisima's watch.

According to his SALNs submitted to the Civil Service Commission, Purisima's net worth decreased to P6.5 million in 2013 from P8.9 million in 2012 after his liabilities increased more than his assets did.

In his 2012 SALN, Purisima also declared a trucking and hauling service, and a general merchandise shop as his businesses.