Hidden wealth? Palace would rather focus on Purisima’s accomplishments

The public should give weight to Philippine National Police (PNP) chief Director General Alan Purisima's accomplishments instead of focusing on accusations that he amassed hidden wealth, Malacañang said Tuesday.

At a press briefing, Communications Secretary Herminio Coloma Jr. once again defended Purisima by citing his supposed gains as PNP chief, including the solving of high-profile cases.

"Makatwiran lamang na kung mayroong mga akusasyon ay tingnan din kung ano ba talaga ang naging overall record ni PNP chief Director General Alan Purisima," Coloma said. "Tingnan din, objectively, kung meron siyang na-accomplish, ano ba ang specific accomplishments niya."

While enjoining the public to consider Purisima's accomplishments, Coloma maintained that Malacañang is not turning a blind eye on accusations against the PNP chief.

"Wala namang pagsasabi rito na looking the other way or being blind dahil lahat naman ng issue tinutukoy o hinaharap," he said.

He also assured the public that Purisima would be held accountable if the Office of the Ombudsman finds him guilty of any wrongdoing.

"Ang ating sinasabi rito, may mga nagpaparatang sa kanya. Bilang isang public official, makatwiran lamang na sagutin niya ang kanyang mga paratang," Coloma said.

President Benigno Aquino III himself had also earlier vouched for Purisima's good character, saying it was not in his character to be luxurious.

The President has known Purisima since 1987, when the PNP chief was a member of the President Security Group during the incumbency of the late President Corazon Aquino.

No judgment on Ecija home

Purisima is facing plunder and graft complaints before the Office of the Ombudsman in connection with his supposed mansion in Nueva Ecija and alleged anomalies in the renovation of the PNP chief's official quarters in Camp Crame.

On Monday, Purisima allowed the media to tour his Nueva Ecija house. During the tour, his cousin, lawyer Toby Purisima, maintained that the house was just "ordinary" and not a luxury mansion.

Asked to describe the PNP chief's Nueva Ecija property, Coloma said it is not his job to give such an assessment.

"Siguro ang tanungin na lang natin diyan ay iyong talagang nag-obserba dahil hindi naman tayo lumahok sa ocular survey," he said.

He even commended Purisima for being "open to scrutiny" on his controversial house.

"Ang kapansin-pansin po rito ay ang pagiging bukas o transparent ni General Purisima sa pagpapasuri ng kanyang tahanan at kahandaang sagutin ang mga katanungan," Coloma said.

During a Senate inquiry last week, Purisima admitted that the PNP received as a donation the P11-million renovation of the PNP chief's quarters, the so-called White House, inside Camp Crame.

He also tried to explain his ownership of a multimillion-peso sports utility vehicle by saying he bought it only for P1.5 million. He said he got a big discount from a dealer when he bought the Land Cruiser.

Republic Act 6713 prohibits public officials and employess from accepting or soliciting, directly or indirectly, "any gift, gratuity, favor, entertainment, loan or anything of monetary value from any person in the course of their official duties." —KBK, GMA News