PNP officials on Foreign Tour

[Gino]

Thick Face Observer

While the Philippines is bracing its economy heavily battered by this financial crisis, the PNP hierarchy is also bracing themselves in sending its top officials on foreign trips guise as ‘observation trip’ and ‘convention’. Of course expenses for such trips shall be at the expense of taxpayers’ money. How a retired police officer is included in such official trip remains a question, worse, he was caught having a large amount of foreign currency purportedly as ‘contingency plan’. If PNP will tell a hungry Filipino that the expenses of a relative (spouse) who joined the retired police general on that official trip is entirely their private money, I can tell them (PNP) out rightly, “Lokohin mo ang lelang mong panot.”

The PNP may even have the audacity to justify that the contingency fund is meant to be used in case of emergency, justifying previous case involving a sick police officer who was hospitalized with nothing even a single penny. How would PNP account such fund if they could not even define the guidelines for disbursement of such? And this is not an isolated case either for there’s another story where in another group of top PNP officials is bound for Europe. They even had the audacity to call it ‘observation trip’. What are these police officials going to observe in Germany, the tomb of Adolf Hitler?

Sirs, you don’t need to go outside the Philippines to do your job, just go out of your air-condition office and do your observation from there. Or I suggest that you do your observation trip in the outskirt of Mindanao. I’m sure MILF and MNLF will surely welcome your presence there.

[oiram]

Originally Posted by Gino

Thick Face Observer

While the Philippines is bracing its economy heavily battered by this financial crisis, the PNP hierarchy is also bracing themselves in sending its top officials on foreign trips guise as ‘observation trip’ and ‘convention’. Of course expenses for such trips shall be at the expense of taxpayers’ money. How a retired police officer is included in such official trip remains a question, worse, he was caught having a large amount of foreign currency purportedly as ‘contingency plan’. If PNP will tell a hungry Filipino that the expenses of a relative (spouse) who joined the retired police general on that official trip is entirely their private money, I can tell them (PNP) out rightly, “Lokohin mo ang lelang mong panot.”

The PNP may even have the audacity to justify that the contingency fund is meant to be used in case of emergency, justifying previous case involving a sick police officer who was hospitalized with nothing even a single penny. How would PNP account such fund if they could not even define the guidelines for disbursement of such? And this is not an isolated case either for there’s another story where in another group of top PNP officials is bound for Europe. They even had the audacity to call it ‘observation trip’. What are these police officials going to observe in Germany, the tomb of Adolf Hitler?

Sirs, you don’t need to go outside the Philippines to do your job, just go out of your air-condition office and do your observation from there. Or I suggest that you do your observation trip in the outskirt of Mindanao. I’m sure MILF and MNLF will surely welcome your presence there.

Brod Gino, Marhaba!

Before anything else, Let me welcome you here in Politics and Government Forum, thanks for sharing this brother!

Actually brother this case is not so new thing although not an isolated case to me! Honestly, I am one of those Millions of Filipinos crusading against ramphant corruptions in our government?! These Top Police Officials you've mentioned should answers to the general public on how they got this huge amount of money they took from government coffers?

Well anyway, to give more updates on this hottest issue allow me to share you this excerpts from Sunstar Daily News:

Sunday, October 19, 2008
Police welcome probe on 'euro generals'
BAGUIO CITY –- The Philippine National Police (PNP) is open to an inquiry relative to the P6.9 million “contingency fund” recovered from former PNP comptroller Elisio dela Paz in Russia.

Malacañang is also keeping tabs on the National Police Commission's (Napolcom) investigation into the P6.9-million "euro generals" mess.

What's your take on the Mindanao crisis? Discuss views with other readers

On Saturday, customs authorities in Moscow issued a clearance for the departure of dela Paz after showing proof that he was legally entrusted to the amount by the Philippine government.

"There is no definite violation (committed) on the Moscow incident," PNP Chief Jesus Verzosa said. "We are submitting documents to support (dela Paz's) stand."

Verzosa, who was at Camp Bado Dangwa in La Trinidad, Benguet Saturday for the inauguration of the newly constructed building at the Cordillera Police Regional Office and turnover of PNP mobiles, said the delegation needed to bring a substantial amount because the convention was "not an ordinary one."

"We are open (to any) investigation," he said.

The PNP chief explained the delegation sent to the International Police General Assembly had other activities to attend to, and had to interact with the other delegates of the international assembly.

He said the PNP also needs to attend international conventions to be updated on the latest trends on police operations, particularly on counter-insurgency operations.

Last week, dela Paz was barred from boarding a plane bound for the Philippines when customs inspectors at the Moscow International Airport found in his possession the P6.93 million, claimed to have been left from the fund used by a delegation, which attended the Interpol convention at St. Petersburg.

The amount was beyond what is allowed by Russian customs for departing passengers.

Interior and Local Government Secretary Ronaldo Puno came to the rescue of dela Paz when he joined other officials in explaining the amount was left of the "contingency fund" for the delegation who attended the international convention.

Verzosa issued an order suspending all foreign trips by PNP officials at the height of the Moscow controversy. He said the suspension would be temporary pending the review of policies involving the trips of PNP officials.

"It (suspension) would take a few days until such time we are able to concretize our policies on foreign travels," he said.

Senator Miriam Defensor Santiago meantime called for a Senate investigation on the fund sources of police officials on overseas trips.

The senator said police authorities should clarify if the money recovered from dela Paz was public or not. If its public funds, who authorized its release, the senator added.

De la Paz served as the disbursing officer of the PNP delegation to the 77th Interpol General Assembly in Moscow earlier this month.

Presidential Management Staff (PMS) head Cerge Remonde, on the other hand, said the mess comes at a time government is trying to ensure resources go to programs to cope with a financial crisis.

"It's Napolcom that is doing the investigation. Like everything else, we are monitoring the investigation," he said.

Meanwhile, amid the ongoing controversy surrounding the "euro generals," a 37-member Philippine "delegation" left Friday night for Los Angeles in the United States for a one-week seminar.

The seminar, organized by the Federal Bureau of Investigation (FBI), will be held from October 17 to 24 at the FBI field office in LA.

Superintendent Randolf Delfin, officer-in-charge of the National Police College, said the delegation attended a pre-departure orientation before leaving.

Delfin said the course was a requirement for promotion in the Philippine Public Safety College.

The delegation included 30 members from the PNP, two from the Bureau of Jail Management and Penology (BJMP), one from the Bureau of Fire Protection (BFP), and one staff from the Philippine Public Safety College.

Delfin insisted the delegates shouldered their own expenses for the trip.

What can you say to this?

[alx]

Is it true that they use their own money for the trip?

If not, that money can be used elsewhere.

Well the men in uniform always protect their own. specially now that many persons are involved.

If I may suggest why not go to asian countries with low crime rate to observe. singapore perhaps.

[Gino]

Going out of the country to observe how their foreign counterparts are doing is ok at least for the very least, they could do some benchmarking. What is unaccepatable to a common Juan Dela Crus is their abuse of using taxpayer's money. Imagine a retired PNP Comptroller, who still has an access to government money, what more those who are still in duty? I'm not generalizing the entire PNP hierarchy but the situation seems is pathetic considering that Top PNP officials themselves are washing their own hands in this mess. Last night while watching late night news, I saw the interwiew of NCRPO Chief Geary Barrias with the rest of some PNP top brass on an 'official' convention aborad, joking a media men that they may be held in the customs immigration because they dont have money. When asked of his comment on why "Dela Paz" was able to bring with him P6.9 million 'contingency fund', he never made any comment by shy away from media. The excuse of Dela Paz that he is not aware of the regulations as to the maximum currency that must be declared, how can you expect PNP, as a crimebuster agency of the Philippines to implement the law if they are ignorant of it?

You are right bro alx, PNP is protecting their own kind and you cannot blame them for this has been part of their oreintation and training as 'mistah' or brotherhood.

[oiram]

Originally Posted by alx

Is it true that they use their own money for the trip?

If not, that money can be used elsewhere.

Well the men in uniform always protect their own. specially now that many persons are involved.

If I may suggest why not go to asian countries with low crime rate to observe. singapore perhaps.

Brod Alex,

Yup! It's a good suggestion and hopefully there will be no more corrupt officials in the PNP? How I wish???

Originally Posted by Gino

Going out of the country to observe how their foreign counterparts are doing is ok at least for the very least, they could do some benchmarking. What is unaccepatable to a common Juan Dela Crus is their abuse of using taxpayer's money. Imagine a retired PNP Comptroller, who still has an access to government money, what more those who are still in duty? I'm not generalizing the entire PNP hierarchy but the situation seems is pathetic considering that Top PNP officials themselves are washing their own hands in this mess. Last night while watching late night news, I saw the interwiew of NCRPO Chief Geary Barrias with the rest of some PNP top brass on an 'official' convention aborad, joking a media men that they may be held in the customs immigration because they dont have money. When asked of his comment on why "Dela Paz" was able to bring with him P6.9 million 'contingency fund', he never made any comment by shy away from media. The excuse of Dela Paz that he is not aware of the regulations as to the maximum currency that must be declared, how can you expect PNP, as a crimebuster agency of the Philippines to implement the law if they are ignorant of it?

You are right bro alx, PNP is protecting their own kind and you cannot blame them for this has been part of their oreintation and training as 'mistah' or brotherhood.

Yes Brod Gino,

Allow me to add this update on the said anomally?

Another excerpts from Sunstar News: October 23, 2008

'Euro generals' asked to explain Moscow mess

MANILA -- Retired police comptroller Eliseo dela Paz and seven other police generals who joined the 77th Interpol Assembly in Russia would have to explain the controversial P6.9 million "contingency fund" mess.

Interior and Local Government Secretary Ronaldo Puno, who chairs the National Police Commission (Napolcom) that is looking into the controversy, said the commission has ordered the eight-man PNP top-level delegation to the Interpol conference to submit within five days all documents pertaining to the P6.9 million worth of money carried by dela Paz in Russia.

What's your take on the Mindanao crisis? Discuss views with other readers

"We have decided this (Wednesday) morning on a resolution to require all participants to submit within five working days starting today, their report on the Interpol assembly and the liquidation of their expenses," Puno said in a press conference in Makati.

Napolcom is investigating the incident involving dela Paz, who, together with his wife, was held briefly at the Moscow International Airport by Russian customs officials after yielding a big amount of money as he was on his way back to Manila.

Dela Paz, who returned to the Philippines last Tuesday, apologized and claimed responsibility for the "international embarrassment."

The PNP delegation to Russia was composed of dela Paz, Emmanuel Carta, Ismael Rafanan, Romeo Ricardo, German Doria, Jaime Caringal, Silverio Alarcio Jr., and Elmer Pellobello.

Puno said Napolcom will leave no stone unturned in its investigation.

"We will look into all the administrative aspect of the case. We are going to look into all their possible liabilities," Puno said even as he appealed to critics not to judge the entire PNP organization based on the recent controversy.

Normal procedure called for government officials who traveled abroad to file their respective liquidation report on their expenses within 30 days from their arrival, according to Secretary Puno.

He said Napolcom just wanted to expedite their probe on the issue, that's why they decided to come up with the resolution during Wednesday's en banc session.

Napolcom exercises administrative control and operational supervision over the 117,000-strong PNP. It also advises President Gloria Macapagal-Arroyo on all matters involving police functions and administration.

During the press conference, Puno signified his intention to appear before a Senate probe on the Moscow mess Thursday to shed light on the matter.

"I already told the media even before the call for an investigation was made that I was going to attend any Senate probe," he said.

He also challenged critics to furnish them evidence regarding allegation that the money recovered from dela Paz came from illegal sources.

"I hope the Senate can show the evidence so that we can jail any officers who violated the law," Puno said.

Napolcom vice chairman Eduardo Escueta said their probe will focus on how dela Paz was able to acquire the money when it was way above the funding approved for the trip.

Escueta said dela Paz, in his former position as comptroller, made a cash advance prior to the trip, but the amount was likely to fund the delegation and not meant to be used for his personal expenses.

He said Napolcom would give dela Paz the chance to present his liquidation of the so-called "contingency fund" and answer all questions that would be thrown at him. (AH/Sunnex)

[alx]

[quote=oiram;23351]

Fund the delegation? Gaano ba kalaki ang budget ng mga delegate natin pag lumalabas ng bansa? Kung pera nila yan baki kelangan i-advance?

Last Kelan ba may makukulong bukod kay erap?

[Gino]

SAYS SENATOR SANTIAGO
No executive session for ‘euro generals’


By Michael Lim Ubac
Philippine Daily Inquirer
First Posted 16:59:00 10/25/2008


MANILA, Philippines -- The Senate committee on foreign relations on Saturday denied the request of Philippine National Police Director General Jesus Verzosa for an executive session once the committee resumes its hearing into the unexplained P6.9-million “cash advance” for a police delegation to the 77th Interpol General Assembly in Russia.

Verzosa quietly relayed this request in a letter to the committee on Friday.

Committee chair Senator Miriam Defensor-Santiago was quick to rebuke the beleaguered PNP chief, telling Verzosa in a letter dated Saturday that the committee “denies your request to go into executive session, because there is no indication that your interrogation as a witness endangers national security.”

“We, therefore, find that your request for executive session is based on sham and frivolous grounds,” said Santiago, after conferring with committee members.

She noted that at the committee hearing on Thursday, “you were sworn before giving testimony.”

“Under oath, you testified that you did not know about the P6.9 million cash carried out of the country by PNP Comptroller Eliseo Dela Paz. I understand that you are now requesting for an executive session in order to explain the purpose for which the cash was allegedly intended.”

However, Santiago, a former trial court judge, said that Verzosa's apparent change of heart was not a good move.

“Necessarily, you are contradicting yourself,” she said.

Santiago furnished Senate President Manuel Villar and Senator Manuel “Mar” Roxas II, the committee vice chair, with a copy of her letter to Verzosa.

She has designated Roxas as acting committee chair since she is flying next week to the United States to resume her campaign for a seat on the International Court of Justice.

Roxas will call a hearing once Dela Paz is arrested, but a warrant has yet to be issued.

Roxas, for his part, said that Verzosa had requested for an executive session in the next Senate hearing as "necessary because of the security implications of the circumstances surrounding the incident."

But Roxas said in a statement that "any and all information related to this case must be shown and be made known to the public. What is there to hide from the public when it concerns public funds and public time?"

He said this was the primary reason why he and Santiago agreed to reject Verzosa's request that an executive session be called in the next hearing of the Senate on the issue.

Roxas said it was important that the public was duly informed of the circumstances surrounding the controversy involving Dela Paz, who was held by Russian authorities for carrying 105,000 euros in the hand-carry bag of his wife while about to depart on their trip back to the Philippines after attending an Interpol meeting in Moscow.

Roxas said he would quiz Verzosa, Superintendent Samuel Rodriguez, disbursing officer for the PNP Directorate for Intelligence, and Senior Superintendent Tomas Rentoy, chief of the budget division of the PNP Directorate for Comptrollership, who supposedly authorized the withdrawal of the funds from the PNP's intelligence fund.

The senator noted that Section 20 of the 2008 General Appropriations Act specifies that "no amount in this Act shall be released or disbursed for confidential and intelligence activities unless approved by the President of the Philippines or specifically identified and authorized as such confidential or intelligence fund in this Act."

Roxas also pointed out that the same provision mandates that "confidential and intelligence funds ... including amounts from savings authorized by special provisions to be used for intelligence and counter-intelligence activities shall be released only upon approval of the President of the Philippines."

He doubted Verzosa's story that Dela Paz was authorized to purchase "intelligence equipment and similar products" as the retired PNP comptroller never headed the PNP Logistics Command and the PNP Intelligence Command.

During the emotion-filled hearing on Thursday, both Verzosa and Interior Secretary Ronaldo Puno could not say with certainty if the P6.9 million had come from PNP coffers.

Dela Paz was stopped by Russian customs officials from boarding his flight out of Moscow to Warsaw, Poland, two weeks ago for carrying cash in excess of the $3,000 limit.

He returned to Manila on Tuesday and said the unexplained P6.9 million (105,000 euros) had come from the PNP’s coffers. He also said that the cash had been wired to a PNP bank account in Manila, a claim denied by PNP officials during the hearing.

Under questioning by Senator Francis Pangilinan, the police top brass said the money was left with Moscow authorities.

The amount was on top of the approved P2.3-million travel allowance of the delegation.

Roxas, Liberal Party president, believed that Verzosa had muddled further the "euro general" controversy with his explanation that the 105,000 euros had come from the PNP's intelligence funds.

Versoza, having assumed his position as PNP chief only two months ago, should not allow himself to be used to cover up for Dela Paz, said the senator.

"The people are waiting for the PNP chief to be a vanguard of the truth, not the protector of falsehood." he said in a statement.

Roxas branded Verzosa's explanation as a "crude attempt to silence the Senate investigation" and proved his point on the "extremely cavalier attitude" of the PNP leadership on the misuse of public funds.

“Is this how they buy arms and intelligence equipment? Cash? No bidding? Do they really allow a retired official to buy sensitive equipment? They are only burying themselves with this explanation. In using the excuse that Dela Paz's money came from the intelligence funds, they have dragged the President into this mess," Roxas said.

Regulations issued by the Commission on Audit require presidential approval of the use of all intelligence funds, as they are not subject to COA audit and can be looked into only by the Chairman of the COA itself, he said.

“We have a saying that the fish is caught by its mouth," he said.

[oiram]

Originally Posted by alx

Fund the delegation? Gaano ba kalaki ang budget ng mga delegate natin pag lumalabas ng bansa? Kung pera nila yan baki kelangan i-advance?

Last Kelan ba may makukulong bukod kay erap?

Yes Alx,

Please read this update bro? Thanks!

MANILA -- Retired police comptroller Eliseo dela Paz on Saturday took sole responsibility for the controversy over the confiscation of 105,000 euros in Russia.

But Senator Miriam Defensor-Santiago, chairperson of the Senate committee on foreign relations, was skeptical.

What's your take on the Mindanao crisis? Discuss views with other readers

"Do you agree that your superior officials, such as Philippine National Police (PNP) Chief Jesus Verzosa and Interior and Local Government Secretary Ronaldo Puno, should be absolved and instead all blame be pinned on you?" Santiago said in Saturday's Senate hearing on the controversy.

Dela Paz said, "The release of the P10 million for the contingency fund is based on my instructions."

Santiago said in owning up to the controversy, the police official was heroic. She, however, warned him that he faced a 20-year jail term for the offense.

Santiago said dela Paz is being made a scapegoat in the incident but is really just a part of a bigger conspiracy.

In other developments:

* Senator Mar Roxas, meanwhile, expressed disgust over what he said were blatant violations of existing laws and executive directives of high-ranking police officials linked to the fund mess.

"Shame on our police force. They blatantly disobeyed the laws Congress crafted. They disregarded the people's welfare, they planned to squander in Russia the funds that are to be used for the purchase of intelligence equipment," he said during Saturday's joint committee hearing into the scandal.

* Senate Majority Leader Kiko Pangilinan condemned the testimonies given before the Senate, saying: "the inconsistencies are glaring and they have dug their own graves with their admissions."

Pangilinan called on appropriate agencies to immediately file charges against the officials.

* Tyrone Arejola, the man who claimed to have given dela Paz 45,000 euros to buy an expensive watch, won a contract at the PNP worth about P100 million, a television report said.

Dela Paz faced the senators on Saturday for the second hearing on the controversy. The probe started shortly after 10 a.m. with the presentation of the summary on the Senate committee report and that of the PNP.

Dela Paz and his wife were held briefly at the Moscow International Airport last month after Russian customs officials found 105,000 euros or P6.9 million from them. The amount exceeded the allowable cash limit for outbound passengers.

The Senate earlier ordered de la Paz's arrest after failing to attend the first hearing on the incident.

On Friday afternoon, dela Paz surrendered to the Senate. For this, Santiago said he will be allowed to go home after Saturday's hearing.

"Since you voluntarily surrendered at the Senate sergeant-at-arms yesterday (Friday), we consider that your word is bond. There is no necessity to remain in detention," she said.

Santiago, however, clarified that dela Paz will remain under the Senate custody, adding that he is expected to appear in the Senate probe when needed.

The senator also granted the motion of dela Paz for his wife's non-appearance for humanitarian reasons.

Senior Superintendent Samuel Rodriguez, disbursing officer for Directorate for Intelligence, who was also present during Saturday's probe, told senators that he found dela Paz's request for funds "unusual."

Rodriguez said Senior Superintendent Tomas Rentoy directed him to reserve P10 million for the PNP delegation to the Interpol summit in St. Petersburg, Russia.

Rentoy is the chief of the Directorate for Comptrollership's budget division. He also attended the hearing.

Before complying, Rodriguez said he informed his superior, PNP Finance Services Chief Orlando Pestaño, about Rentoy's request for the amount to be sourced from the intelligence fund via a letter.

Rodriguez added that he sent the same letter to dela Paz.

He denied having knowledge on the former police official's bringing 105,000 euros at the Moscow airport.

Dela Paz, while being grilled by Senator Loren Legarda, invoked his right against self-incrimination.

Legarda said she was not comfortable with the answers of the retired police comptroller.

She particularly mentioned dela Paz's failure to explain why he did not declare the cash he was carrying before departing the country.

Dela Paz earlier said he was not aware of any regulation on declaration of cash before departure.

But when asked by Legarda the second time, dela Paz corrected himself.

Dela Paz said he was aware of a Bangko Sentral ng Pilipinas (BSP) circular on declaration of cash amounting $10,000 and above upon leaving the Philippines. He then invoked his right against self-incrimination.

Malacañang, meanwhile, said it is taking a hands-off stance on the ongoing Senate investigation.

Deputy presidential spokesman Anthony Golez Jr. said dela Paz is "his own man" at this time.

"General dela Paz is his own man right now. It seems there are so many allegations against him, he is bound to face all those allegations," Golez said over government-run dzRB radio.

[Gino]

I'm having mixed thoughts after i watched the news program last night regarding the issue above.
I admire Dela Paz for taking the heat alone, (truly observing the motto of all cavaliers, 'don't drag your superior when you go down') and at the same time, I feel vindicated as a Filipino for things such as this must not go unpunished. It is not because I'm a blood-hungry individual but I believed that justice must prevail. Filipinos are dying of hunger everyday, soldiers are dying in the field for the lack of standard equipment, while these officials have the audacity to travel around the world with million of persos? No amount of 'palusot' could be better than metting justice as necessary.

[regay]

Those behavior are standard norms of govt officials not just to our Men-in-uniform alone.

That RP culture of corruption is revealed most obviously on govt ranks of which they themselves should be the one to promote & set examples for patriotism & integrity being given the privileged of such noble positions for national service.

CBCP & other civic-groups are calling for NATIONAL TRANSFORMATION starting from every individual including the prelates.
However, to my opinion it is the govt who runs the system & therefore transformation should start from there.

NICE TOPIC SIR GINO!!!