Solon insists on House probe on ‘euro generals’ mess
11/05/2008 | 10:42 AM
MANILA, Philippines - A party-list lawmaker on Wednesday pushed anew for a House probe into the P6.9-million Moscow cash scandal, saying the return of cash advances by police officials implicated in the controversy smacks of a possible cover-up by the Philippine National Police (PNP).
In a text message to reporters, Bayan Muna Rep. Teodoro Casiño said the police officials' return of their allowance only lets them get away from having to liquidate their expenses during their trip to Russia for the 77th Interpol Assembly in St. Petersburg.
"By returning the travel funds, the 'euro generals' are not required anymore to liquidate their expenses and thus not required to disclose their and their wives' travel arrangements, hotel accommodations, plus other expenses paid for by public funds. This is part of Verzosa's and Puno's cover up," said Casiño, referring to PNP Director General Jesus Verzosa and Interior Secretary Ronaldo Puno.
Casiño said the return raised more questions on how the police delegation used their allowance during their stay in Russia.
"The Euro-generals 'return' of their approval travel allowance raises more questions. If they returned the funds, then who paid for their travel and hotel expenses? Why not just return the excess amount?" said Casiño.
"I have a strong hunch they're doing this to hide how much they actually splurged for the trip. Most probably they flew business class and checked in at posh hotels in further violation of government travel guidelines. Thus the House probe must push through," he added.
Casiño, along with fellow Bayan Muna Rep. Satur Ocampo, filed a resolution seeking a House investigation on the issue a few days after the scandal broke out in the middle of October.
As of Monday, Deputy Director General Emmanuel Carta, Director Romeo Ricardo, Director Jaime Caringal, and Director Silverio Alarcio Jr have returned each of their P274,070 allowance.
Eliseo dela Paz, the controversial retired PNP comptroller who was detained by Moscow authorities for carrying excessive euros, also turned over his cash advance in full, PNP spokesman Chief Superintendent Nicanor Bartolome said.
Meanwhile, Deputy Director General Ismael Rafanan, Senior Superintendent Elmer Pelovello and Director German Doria, have yet to turn over their cash advances in full.
Rafanan was able to return only P74,000 while Pelobello gave back P150,000. Doria, who also started returning his cash advance last Thursday, gave back only P100,000.
The three officials, Bartolome said, gave promissory notes saying they would return the remaining balance within 30 days.
Bartolome said the move was in compliance with the directive of Verzosa who ordered the delegates to return the money while the investigation on the scandal is still going on.
The PNP spokesman, however, clarified that the P274,070 cash advance allotted for each delegate was not part of the 105,000 euros that the PNP is awaiting to be returned via wire transfer by Russian customs authorities. - Johanna Camille Sisante, GMANews.TV
In a text message to reporters, Bayan Muna Rep. Teodoro Casiño said the police officials' return of their allowance only lets them get away from having to liquidate their expenses during their trip to Russia for the 77th Interpol Assembly in St. Petersburg.
"By returning the travel funds, the 'euro generals' are not required anymore to liquidate their expenses and thus not required to disclose their and their wives' travel arrangements, hotel accommodations, plus other expenses paid for by public funds. This is part of Verzosa's and Puno's cover up," said Casiño, referring to PNP Director General Jesus Verzosa and Interior Secretary Ronaldo Puno.
Casiño said the return raised more questions on how the police delegation used their allowance during their stay in Russia.
"The Euro-generals 'return' of their approval travel allowance raises more questions. If they returned the funds, then who paid for their travel and hotel expenses? Why not just return the excess amount?" said Casiño.
"I have a strong hunch they're doing this to hide how much they actually splurged for the trip. Most probably they flew business class and checked in at posh hotels in further violation of government travel guidelines. Thus the House probe must push through," he added.
Casiño, along with fellow Bayan Muna Rep. Satur Ocampo, filed a resolution seeking a House investigation on the issue a few days after the scandal broke out in the middle of October.
As of Monday, Deputy Director General Emmanuel Carta, Director Romeo Ricardo, Director Jaime Caringal, and Director Silverio Alarcio Jr have returned each of their P274,070 allowance.
Eliseo dela Paz, the controversial retired PNP comptroller who was detained by Moscow authorities for carrying excessive euros, also turned over his cash advance in full, PNP spokesman Chief Superintendent Nicanor Bartolome said.
Meanwhile, Deputy Director General Ismael Rafanan, Senior Superintendent Elmer Pelovello and Director German Doria, have yet to turn over their cash advances in full.
Rafanan was able to return only P74,000 while Pelobello gave back P150,000. Doria, who also started returning his cash advance last Thursday, gave back only P100,000.
The three officials, Bartolome said, gave promissory notes saying they would return the remaining balance within 30 days.
Bartolome said the move was in compliance with the directive of Verzosa who ordered the delegates to return the money while the investigation on the scandal is still going on.
The PNP spokesman, however, clarified that the P274,070 cash advance allotted for each delegate was not part of the 105,000 euros that the PNP is awaiting to be returned via wire transfer by Russian customs authorities. - Johanna Camille Sisante, GMANews.TV
