Sandiganbayan OKs ex-PNP chief Purisima’s trip to Taiwan

The Sandiganbayan has allowed former Philippine National Police chief Alan Purisima to travel to Taipei, Taiwan for four days with his family while his graft and perjury cases proceed.

A minute resolution from the court’s Sixth Division dated May 27 said the motion of Purisima was “granted over the objection of the prosecution.”

The Second Division granted the same motion of Purisima but the travel authority is still due for the signature of the justices.

Purisima had said he intends to travel to Taipei, Taiwan from June 16 to 20 with his family for “personal reasons.”

In the Sixth Division, Purisima faces one count of graft when he signed a memorandum of agreement with Werfast Documentary Agency, Inc. for a computerized system on the renewal of firearms licenses in 2011.

The prosecution had said the contract was awarded to Werfast without public bidding and despite the company’s supposed lack of track record and qualifications as a courier service firm.

Purisima, meanwhile, faces perjury charges at the Second Division for allegedly failing to declare real properties and firearms in his Statement of Assets, Liabilities, and Net Worth for eight years.

His case in relation to the bloody Mamasapano encounter in 2015 that killed 44 PNP Special Action Force commandos has yet to proceed due to a temporary restraining order from the Supreme Court. — RSJ, GMA News