MANILA – Spare the President. That is the advice of rehabilitation czar Panfilo Lacson to Philippine National Police chief Alan Purisima who is facing charges of plunder, graft and indirect bribery.
Lacson, a former PNP chief, said Purisima may opt to take a leave of absence or consider early retirement so as not to put the integrity of the institution on the line.
He said President Aquino may also appeal to Purisima to come clean on the issues hounding the police chief.
“Totoo man o hindi, may hinaharap na problema ang chief PNP natin. Matagal namang magkaibigan ang Pangulo at General Purisima, siguro isumo niya, mag-usap silang masinsinan at tanungin na lamang niya. Isa-isahin yung mga issues. Ito ba totoo? Palagay ko naman sa tagal ng kanilang samahan may respeto na sila sa isa’t isa. Hindi naman siguro para magsinungaling pa si General Purisima kay Pangulong Aquino na itatanggi niya yung totoong akusasyon laban sa kanya,” he said in an interview on radio DZMM.
“Kung hindi naman pwedeng maganap yun, pwedeng on his own kung in his heart of hearts alam niyang may katotohanan yung alegasyon, kusang loob na lang siyang lumapit at i-spare niya na ang Pangulo sa agony kung ano ang dapat gawin sa kanya. Siya na yung magkusang-loob magsabing magbakasyon na muna ako o kaya extended leave o magretire na po ako.”
Lacson said problems facing the police hierarchy amid integrity issues will affect the morale of the police force and the country’s peace and order situation.
“Pag may problemang hinaharap ang liderato maaapektuhan ang peace and order dapat pagtuunan ng pansin kung paano mareresolba yung problema ng liderato ng PNP. Naghahanap lagi ng leadership ang mga kapulisan. Pag walang desisyong apektado moral at lalala problema. Nakikiramdam sindikato sasamantalahin nila yan.”
The Coalition of Filipino Consumers earlier filed plunder, graft, and indirect bribery charges against Purisima for his allegedly unexplained wealth.
The group questioned the renovation of the PNP chief’s official residence dubbed the “White House.” The renovation reportedly cost P11.4 million and was conducted through donation by Carlos Gonzales of ULTICON Builders, Atty. Alexander Lopez of Pacific Concrete Corporation, and Christopher Pastrana of CAPP Industries.
The complaint also alleges Purisima has several properties, including a rest house in San Leonardo, Nueva Ecija.
Aside from the house in San Leonardo, Purisima also allegedly owns a poultry farm in Barangay Macatbong in Cabanatuan City.
According to the Office of the City Assessor of Cabanatuan City, the property is “owned” by Rainier Van Albert Purisima, one of the four sons of the PNP chief.
PNP spokesperson Reuben Theodore Sindac said Purisima will answer all allegations in due time.
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