Gringo eyes probe into alleged PNP slush fund

A senator is eyeing a probe on the claims made by former Philippine National Police chief and now Senator Panfilo Lacson – who is still in hiding concerning his alleged role in the Dacer-Corbito double murder case – on a P40-million slush fund for the PNP chief. In a radio interview on Thursday, Senate public order committee chairman Gregorio Honasan II said he will consult with his colleagues on a possible probe, and look for a source that can corroborate Lacson’s claims. "I will propose to [the other] senators to discuss whether to conduct an investigation regarding Lacson’s claims. Normally, there will be a resolution filed to seek the probe, and then we will see if the allegations have basis," Honasan said in Filipino in an interview on dwIZ radio. "Siyempre di natin pwedeng balewalain ang allegation na ito alang-alang sa kasundaluhan, at sa kapulisan natin, at alang-alang sa public interest (We cannot ignore Lacson’s claims, for the sake of our police personnel, soldiers and the general public)," he added.

On Wednesday, Lacson claimed that during his watch, there was a P40-million-a-year fund for the PNP chief, a card with high credit limit and gas allocation enough for 50 vehicles. Lacson, who held the post of PNP chief from November 1999 to January 2001, said he cut that "tradition" and instead put the money as reserve under the general fund for personnel’s welfare and other operational activities. But former PNP comptroller and Antipolo Rep. Romeo Acop denied the P40-million fund "commander’s reserve" given to PNP chiefs for their exclusive disposal. Acop said the command reserve is used as a contingency fund for the PNP’s “unprogrammed activities," adding that the money – which actually amounted P44 million – was not for personal use, and that the money goes back to the national treasury if not spent. Also, Acop said he was not aware of the credit card privilege, although he confirmed that Lacson ordered him to download the excess gas allowance to frontline units. On the other hand, PNP spokesman Agrimero Cruz Jr. refuted Lacson’s claim but said the PNP is open to an investigation over the supposed P40-million slush fund. “There is neither ‘special/personal fund’ nor a card with a high credit limit or even the so-called ‘welcome and send off gifts tradition’ for PNP chiefs. Additionally, in the interest of transparency and public accountability, the PNP will fully cooperate with any formal inquiry," he said in a statement posted early Thursday on the PNP website. But Cruz also credited Lacson for initiating the system that allocates 85 percent of the resources to the field offices while headquarters settle for the remaining 15 percent. “The PNP is very grateful to the good senator that because of his initiatives, the operating funds of the PNP had been decentralized to the police Regional Offices including the procurement of petroleum, oil and lubricant products, ammunition and other resources," he said. Fair probe Senator Honasan said that if his committee will be tasked to handle the investigation, he will make sure all claims in the investigation should be substantiated. He was referring to the ongoing congressional investigation into the plea bargaining agreement involving former Armed Forces of the Philippines comptroller Carlos Garcia, who is facing plunder charges in connection with the alleged misuse of AFP funds. The investigation, which touched on “pabaon" (sendoff money) and other irregularities in the AFP, was blamed for the suicide of former AFP chief of staff Angelo Reyes, who was accused of receiving P50-million payoff. “We will avoid a trial by publicity and undue pressure on any one being accused of irregularities by making sure any claim made at the hearing is substantiated. We do not want to sully the reputation of personalities and institutions," he added. On the other hand, Honasan said that probably another source should be needed to corroborate Lacson’s claims, as Lacson remains in hiding. According to him, it would be ideal if Lacson will surface to substantiate his claims. "Maganda sana kung lumantad na si Senator Lacson... pero narito na ang issue na ito... ang approach natin dito mas maganda kung may isang corroborating source of information para kahit di pa magpasiyang lumantad masisimulan and proseso," Honasan said. (It would be ideal if Lacson will surface. But in the meantime, I will consult with my colleagues on the matter. We will probably look for another source who can corroborate Lacson’s claims so we can proceed with the process.) Incidentally, Honasan, Lacson and Garcia are all members of the Philippine Military Academy Class of 1971. — LBG/RSJ, GMA News