Valenzuela City Congressman Sherwin “Win” Gatchalian made the call after a police official involved in ‘hulidap’ was found to have a net worth of P6.1 million despite having P605,133 annual salary.
Although the lifestyle check would initially cover high-ranking police officials, Gatchalian said Purisima should lead as an example by making a full disclosure of his Statement of Assets, Liabilities and Net worth (SALN).
“Any lifestyle check on the PNP should start with its chief, Director-General Purisima and he can do this by holding a press conference to explain his SALN, which is currently being questioned,” Gatchalian said.
ABS-CBN broadcast journalist Ted Failon raised several questions on Purisima’s SALN, a copy of which was provided by the Civil Service Commission, in a special report aired last Saturday.
One such questionable item was the Purisima-owned mansion with swimming pool in San Leonardo, Nueva Ecija, which was included in the PNP chief’s SALN but was surprisingly not registered in the Registry of Deeds in the municipality.
Another question raised by Failon at the program was the listing of more than four hectares of land in San Leonardo worth P2 million under the name of Purisima’s son who has just passed the nursing board exams.
“Questions such as the ones raised by Ted Failon has to be answered by Gen. Purisima in the spirit of transparency and accountability and as part of the PNP lifestyle check as ordered by the DILG secretary,” said Gatchalian, a three-term mayor of Valenzuela City.
Attention had been drawn to the PNP in recent weeks after the involvement of around 10 Quezon City policemen in the P2-million robbery of two employees of a Lanao-based contractor on Sept. 1.
The incident was captured on camera by a motorist and uploaded on Twitter, eventually going viral on social media.
Last week, Gatchalian filed House Resolution No. 1507 that stresses the need to make the PNP’s disciplinary system better as there is a “perceived impression that the Internal Affairs Service of the PNP and the National Police Commission (NAPOLCOM) lacks teeth in the discipline and apprehension of unscrupulous and corrupt police officers.”
“An investigation must be made to find means that will enhance the disciplinary body and process of investigation on erring policemen in the PNP in order to enact, review, or amend legislation that will restore and preserve the integrity of the Philippine National Police,” said Gatchalian.
Gatchalian said an honest-to-goodness lifestyle check in the PNP will serve as an opportunity to protect the good name of the national police as this will help eliminate suspicions and speculation of alleged ill-gotten wealth or involvement in money-making crimes by ranking police officers. (R. Burgos)
