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Mar Roxas: DILG to probe donors in P11-M renovation of Purisima’s quarters
By ROUCHELLE R. DINGLASAN, GMA News
(Updated 5:38 p.m.) The Department of Interior and Local Government is looking into the background of the donors that contributed resources for the renovation of the Philippine National Police chief's official quarters, or White House, inside Camp Crame.
While presenting the budget of the DILG and the PNP before the Senate Committee on Finance on Wednesday, Interior Secretary Manuel Roxas II said it there should be no undue influence on the PNP as a result of the renovation that he said cost P11 million.
Earlier reports alleged that the cost of the renovation was at least P20 million.
The questioned renovation was one of the issues raised against PNP chief Director-General Alan Purisima when a consumer rights' group filed plunder, graft and indirect bribery charges filed against him before the Ombudsman.
Donors
In a letter on September 12, state auditor Preciosa Miranda asked Purisima to provide additional documents on the renovation of the PNP chief's official residence.
Miranda said "the renovation/repair of the official residence of the Chief-PNP, is not recorded in the books of accounts."
To this, Chief Supt. Rolando Purugganan, PNP director for comptrollership, replied that the P11.463 million spent for the renovation came from donors, identified as:
-- Carlos Gonzales for ULTICON Builders
-- Lawyer Alexander Lopez for Pacific Concrete Corporation
-- Christopher Pastrana of CAPP industries
Purisima was named as "donee" in the deed of donation, Miranda said.
Background check
Roxas said the cost of the renovation was contained in a report submitted to the Commission on Audit.
While presenting the budget of the DILG and the PNP before the Senate Committee on Finance on Wednesday, Interior Secretary Manuel Roxas II said it there should be no undue influence on the PNP as a result of the renovation that he said cost P11 million.
Earlier reports alleged that the cost of the renovation was at least P20 million.
The questioned renovation was one of the issues raised against PNP chief Director-General Alan Purisima when a consumer rights' group filed plunder, graft and indirect bribery charges filed against him before the Ombudsman.
Donors
In a letter on September 12, state auditor Preciosa Miranda asked Purisima to provide additional documents on the renovation of the PNP chief's official residence.
Miranda said "the renovation/repair of the official residence of the Chief-PNP, is not recorded in the books of accounts."
To this, Chief Supt. Rolando Purugganan, PNP director for comptrollership, replied that the P11.463 million spent for the renovation came from donors, identified as:
-- Carlos Gonzales for ULTICON Builders
-- Lawyer Alexander Lopez for Pacific Concrete Corporation
-- Christopher Pastrana of CAPP industries
Purisima was named as "donee" in the deed of donation, Miranda said.
Background check
Roxas said that DILG was looking into the background of the people who contributed or donated funds for the renovation of the PNP "White House."
"Ipapasa ko ito [investigation] sa kinauukulan para malaman kung sino sila at kung konektado ba sila sa pamahalaan kasi kung walang koneksyon or wala naman "undue influence" 'yun lang 'yun. Ang mahalaga hindi nagkakaroon ng undue influence," Roxas told the Senate committee.
Roxas said the cost of the renovation was contained in a report submitted to the Commission on Audit.
The same document was likewise forwarded to the Senate finance committee for reference.
In an interview after the hearing, Roxas said that while he still trusts the PNP chief, Purisima should be able to explain the allegations of ill-gotten wealth and impropriety against him.
The PNP is under the supervision of the DILG.
A chance to explain
"Nananatili ang ating trust [kay Director Purisima] pero mahalaga na maipaliwanag niya ang mga issues na ito," Roxas told reporters.
"Hindi natin maide-deny na apektado ang buong institusyon ng PNP dito. Si Pangulo [President Benigno Aquino III] nga nada-drag din dito," Roxas said.
Still, Roxas said Purisima should be given a chance to explain.
"Maganda rin na sabi ni Director Purisima na maipapaliwanag niya lahat 'yan sa tamang venue," Roxas said.
The PNP chief is facing plunder, bribery, and graft charges before the Office of the Ombudsman in connection with a mansion in Nueva Ecija and the multimillion-peso renovation of the PNP chief's official quarters in Camp Crame.
Next week, the Senate is set to look into Purisima's Statement of Assets, Liabilities and Net Worth. He is also expected to explain the extent of his wealth.
No less than Aquino has vouched for Purisima’s integrity.
Purisima on Wednesday failed to attend the Senate Committee on Finance hearing on the DILG and the PNP's proposed budget for 2015. He is said to be on an official trip in Colombia.
In the same hearing, Senator Grace Poe called for Purisima to take a leave of absence as he undergoes investigation in connection with the allegations against him. —NB/KBK, GMA News
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