Do lifestyle check on PNP chief, COA urged

MANILA, Philippines - A consumers' welfare advocacy group has asked the Commission on Audit to conduct a lifestyle check and look into the assets of Philippine National Police chief Director General Alan Purisima.

 

The Coalition of Filipino Consumers has submitted a petition to the office of COA chairperson Grace Pulido-Tan amid controversies hounding Purisima regarding the gun licensing contract, a P25 million “White House” and other alleged properties not included in his Statement of Assets and Liabilities (SALN).

 

“We believe all public officials are accountable to the Filipino people, especially those whose leadership is tainted with corruption,” CFC secretary general Perfecto Tagalog said in his petition.

 

 Among those being questioned by the group include the P100-million license card contract and his assets.

 

Tagalog said they had been asking for a copy of Purisima’s SALN, but the PNP official had refused to give them a copy of the document.

 

 “The PNP Chief is facing charges of plunder before the Ombudsman. When news of the deal broke out, the PNP chief reportedly terminated the contract with Werfast,” Tagalog said.

 

"It is worth mentioning that the PNP Chief has been evading questions on the alleged P25-million White House,” he added.

 

Tagalog said it is high time that Purisima explains himself to the more than 130,000-strong men and women of the PNP and the Filipino people.

 

“We are convinced that under you watch, corruption will not go unnoticed and your office is not beholden to the appointing power. Corruption after all is the abuse of power for private gain,” Tagalog said.