Police official welcomes probe on fund mess

Philippine Center for Transnational Crimes (PCTC) executive director Deputy Director General Reynaldo Velasco welcomed yesterday the filing of graft charges against him over the alleged misappropriation of some P272.2 million in funds intended for pay adjustments to 12,000 retired police personnel.

"I welcome any probe and I am ready to face anyone at anytime in any proper forum to defend my honor and dignity. Let truth and justice prevail," Velasco said.

Velasco questioned the motive of retired police general Guillermo Domondon in including him on the charge sheet.

"Let it be on record that I was already relieved as comptroller last July 2002 and assumed the new position as NCRPO (National Capital Regional Police Office) director," Velasco said. "I could not have been part of what Gen. Domondon is talking about. If he has any hidden agenda, let his conscience bother him."

Velasco and Victor Signey, another former Philippine National Police (PNP) comptroller, were charged before the Ombudsman last Monday with illegal use of public funds and technical malversation of public funds under the Revised Penal Code.

In a five-page complaint-affidavit, Domondon, representing some 7,000 members of the PNP Retirees Association Inc. (PRAI) held Velasco and Signey liable for the failure to release over P272 million in pension funds to supposed beneficiaries.

The money is part of the P1.357 billion appropriated by the Department of Budget and Management (DBM) for the PNP retired officers. It has two components: P1.08 billion for pensions and the amount in question as adjustment pay for year 2000 rates retroactive July 1, 2002.

"The amount intended for 12,294 retirees was misappropriate and diverted for the payment of other retirees who were not among the 12,294 PNP retirees," the complainants said.

Velasco called the issue "rehashed" as Domondon has raised this previously.

He noted it has been resolved at the Senate committee on police matters chaired by Sen. Robert Barbers. The Senate committee reportedly exonerated Velasco from any fund misdeed or impropriety.

Domondon, however, belied Velasco’s rebuttal.

In a statement, he said the complaint was not rehashed and clarified that the Senate has not exonerated anybody involved in the fund misuse.

"The mentioned P343 million by Velasco is funds for adjustment to 1996 level last 2001, whereas the missing P272 million is funds for adjustment to 2000 level to be given the same year," Domondon said.

He also denied having any political motive behind the case against Velasco.

"There is no hidden agenda," Domondon said.
"We distance ourselves from politics in the PNP. We are only interested on what is legally due us."

Velasco, on the other hand, pointed out that he actually sympathizes with police retirees since his father, a retired soldier, also experiences problems related to his pensions.

"Why pick on me when I have consistently served and fought for the welfare and benefits of the police retirees," Velasco said.

Velasco reminded Domondon and the PRAI members that he caused the payment of some P343 million as their pension adjustment in 2001.

"I was even awarded a plaque of merit signed by Gen. Domondon himself," Velasco said, showing The Star the glass plaque from PRAI. — With Christina Mendez