RETIRED Philippine National Police comptroller Eliseo de la Paz reiterated today he was taking “full responsibility” for requesting and approving the release of P10 million from the PNP intelligence funds to cover the expenses of an eight-member police delegation to the 77th Interpol Assembly in St. Petersburg, Russia last month.
“I did it on my own behalf,” De la Paz said this morning as he appeared for the first time before the Senate committees on foreign affairs and blue ribbon jointly probing the scandal arising from the retired comptroller’s being held at the Moscow airport after the conference for failure to declare 105,000 euros or P6.9 million he had brought with him to Russia. (Download audio files of Eliseo De la Paz’s testimony)
The senators were informed during the hearing by other police and audit officials that the PNP intelligence funds are not supposed to be used for travel expenses and this was the first time that these were used for such a purpose.
De la Paz stuck to his statement despite reminders from senators, including Miriam Defensor Santiago, not to cover for his superiors, among them Interior Secretary Ronaldo Puno and PNP Chief Jesus Versoza, in what could be a string of corrupt acts at the PNP and that he could face up to 20 years’ imprisonment for his offense.
Admitting possible abuse of discretion, De la Paz insisted there were “no scapegoats” and that it was a “lapse on my part.”
The retired PNP comptroller, who surrendered Friday to the Senate sergeant at arms after the chamber issued an arrest warrant against him, said he did not know a Bangko Sentral circular requiring departing passengers carrying $10,000 or more to declare the sum to immigration authorities. But he refused to elaborate, invoking his right against self-incrimination.
De la Paz likewise said he did not know that passengers arriving in Russia needed to declare such an amount. He blamed this on the language barrier, saying he and members of the delegation could not read the signs written in Russian.
Sen. Loren Legarda said it was impossible that De la Paz did not know these rules.
The retired police official said the P6.9 million in euros seized from him was for contingencies but added this time that it was for the “possible” procurement of prototype equipment needed by the police establishment as well.
He also stood pat on an his statement that the additional 45,000 euros he was carrying belonged to a friend of his, businessman Tyrone Arejola, who had asked him to buy two designer watches.
De la Paz said he and his wife, Versoza’s wife, Chief Superintendent Jaime Caringal, were supposed to proceed to Vienna, Warsaw and Prague after Moscow for what he said was a personal trip.
During the hearing, Supt. Samuel Rodriguez, disbursing officer for the intelligence funds, said he had questioned De la Paz’s request for the release of P10 million from the intelligence funds and informed De la Paz and his superior, Chief Supt. Orlando Pestano, head of the PNP Finance Services, through separate memos that this might violate auditing regulations.
The senators commended Rodriguez for calling the attention of his superiors to the possible violation.
Pestano, in turn, said De la Paz had assured him that he would iron out the matter with the directorate for intelligence.
Versoza, who was at the Senate hearing, said the PNP has recommended to the Office of the Ombudsman that De la Paz be charged with violating the Government Auditing Code of the Philippines and the new Central Bank Act.
Asked by Sen. Richard Gordon to explain why PNP officials nearing retirement were chosen to attend the Interpol conference when the General Appropriations Act limits the age of civil servants attending international meetings to 45, PNP Director for Plans Romeo Ricardo said he came to know of this provision only after the Moscow incident.
Gordon said Dela Paz, who retired as scheduled last month shortly after the Interpol conference, was given the trip in what appeared to be a “reward for cooperative conduct” by former PNP chiefs.–Yvonne T. Chua