Dela Paz and three others recommended by the Chief PNP to be file with administrative and criminal charges

Miami
October 27, 2008
Story: Dela Paz and three others recommended by the Chief PNP to be file with administrative and criminal charges

Philippine National Police Chief Police Director General Jesus Verzosa has recommended that those who were involved in releasing the Php6.903 million pesos to be filed with administrative and criminal charges.

In a statement, Verzosa said based on the findings of the Directorate for Investigation and Detective Management (DIDM), who conducted the investigation, “There is reasonable basis to file criminal as well as administrative charges against concerned police officers, particularly those involved in the funding, release, and disbursement of funds used in the official mission of the PNP delegation to the 77th Interpol General Assembly held in Russia.”

Verzosa ordered the eight delegates to the 77th Interpol General Assembly to submit individual liquidation reports of the Php274,070 cash advance that each of them received or totalling Php2.192-million.

The delegates are: Retired Police Director General Eliseo dela Paz, PNP deputy chief for administration Deputy Dir. Gen. Emmanuel Carta, deputy chief for operations Deputy Dir. Gen. Ismael Rafanan, Police Regional Office 9 director Dir. Jaime Caringal, director for operations Dir. Silverio Alarcio, director for human resource and development Dir. German Doria, director for plans Dir. Romeo Ricardo, and his budget and fiscal section chief Supt. Elmer Pellobello.

He also ordered them to return the entire cash advance for travel they received from the Finance Service, “Should anyone of them feel they are entitled to reimbursement of expenses, they may file the corresponding claims following the normal accounting and auditing procedures.”

He also said that he is ordering the Criminal Investigation and Detection Group (CIDG) to file appropriate charges against Dela Paz, Chief Superintendent Orlando Pestano, Senior Superintendent Tomas Rentoy, and Superintendent Samuel Rodriguez for the unauthorized release of money from the PNP confidential/intelligence funds.

On the letter that Verzosa sent to Senator Mar Roxas last Friday, October 24, 2008, he explained that, “the cash advance of Php6.930 million that P/Director Eliseo dela Paz obtained was derived from PNPs intelligence fund which he processed before my assumption of office as PNP Chief. The cash advance was secured by him from P/Supt Samuel Rodriguez, the Disbursing officer for the Directorate for Intelligence through P/SSupt Tomas RENTOY, Chief, Budget Division, Directorate for Comptrollership.”

Pestano, the Chief of Finance Service, is also included in the case because as chief of Finance service his role is to maintain and supervise the operations of the Modified Disbursement System (MDS) Account for units in the PNP; Coordinates with other office/units concerning the preparation and distribution of the pay and allowances of uniformed and non-uniformed personnel of the PNP; Processes and settles claims for pay allowances/salaries, travel expenses and commutation of leave of PNP personnel. Maintains financial records of the pay and allowances of uniformed and non-uniformed personnel and other PNP obligations; and, Implements plans, policies, rules and regulations governing disbursement and collection of funds for the PNP.
For this case, the Php6.903M, Pestano should have knowledge about the money that was released, also, Rentoy is under him. It can be recalled that during the senate investigation Verzosa said that the transaction as being made between dela Paz and Rentoy.

Verzosa also directed the CIDG to coordinate with the Ninoy Aquino International Airport (NAIA) Customs authorities to file appropriate charges before the Ombudsman against Dela Paz for violation of Section 36 of RA 7653 or the New Central Bank Act for failure to declare the 105,000 Euros he brought out of the country when he travelled to Russia.

He ordered the Directorate for Personnel and Records Management (DPRM) to supervise the ongoing activities of a Technical Working Group that was tasked to review, update and consolidate all PNP rules and regulations pertaining to foreign travel to attend official functions, and the existing rules on release, payment and disbursement of PNP funds for official travel.

He even asked the Directorate for Human Resource and Doctrine Development (DHRDD) to come up with Standard Operating Procedure for the pre-departure briefing that they are conducting for all the personnel who will have to travel abroad for official mission. The purpose for this is “To make them aware of the customs and immigration laws, rules and regulations of the Philippines and the country of destination, as well as the social and cultural practices in the country to be visited.”

He also asked the Directorate for Intelligence to continuously coordinate with the Russian authorities. Verzosa confirmed that the money has not been transferred to them as promised.

He is also asking the Directorate for Comptrollership to review its policy and make appropriate changes.

Meanwhile, Chief Supt Raul Bacalzo, director of DIDM said their investigation would be in support of the own investigation of the Senate, Ombudsman and National Police Commission (NAPOLCOM) that would help in filing appropriate charges, both criminal and administrative, to the people involved.

Bacalzo also said that it is determined that the money came from the PNP intelligence funds, but on what purpose is not clear. “There is no evidence that the money will use as to buy intelligence equipment, the only authority we can obtain was the verbal instructions to release the P6.9M,” he said.

He also clarify that they can still file case against dela Paz before the Ombudsman because the incident happened when he was still an official.

The cases that can be filed against dela Paz is malversation of public funds which is under anti graft and corruption law; and violation of Central Bank Act.

Meanwhile on the call that he should leave, Verzosa said, “It is not proper to take a leave their are different tasks to do.”