http://www.gmanews.tv/story/128413/Ex-PNP-...for-Moscow-mess
MANILA, Philippines – The controversial retired Philippine National Police (PNP) comptroller on Tuesday took full responsibility for the P6.9 million Moscow cash scandal, saying he is ready to face all investigations into the incident.
In a press conference a few hours after his arrival in the country, retired Philippine National Police (PNP) comptroller Director Eliseo dela Paz said he regrets the “lapse" he committed in failing to declare the 105,000 euros or P6.9 million he brought with him to Russia.
He, however, maintained that the fund was intended for legal purposes.
“I take full responsibility for this lapse that has undeservedly led to a negative public perception of the institution that I hold so dearly and have served faithfully and honestly through all this years," dela Paz said.
“I apologize deeply to our people and to our government for the untoward incident at the Moscow International Airport that last week touched off an international embarrassment to our country. I apologize, too, to my fellow delegates to the Interpol Conference for having put them in an awkward position as a result of my misstep," he added.
Dela Paz is a member of the Philippine Military Academy class of 1976, alongside PNP chief Director General Jesus Verzosa and Armed Forces chief General Alexander Yano. Incidentally, another classmate - Director Jaime Caringal - was also with him in Moscow when he was held at the airport.
Dela Paz explained that the P6.9 million “contingency funds" was sourced from his "authorized P10-million cash advance" and was intended to serve as a revolving fund for the Philippine delegation to the Interpol conference.
"As police comptroller and special disbursing officer of the top-level Philippine delegation that attended the international gathering, I took out from my authorized P10-million cash advance bonded authority the amount of P6.93 million, which I converted into 105,000 euros as the standby revolving fund for our official travel," dela Paz said.
The retired police official added that Moscow is an expensive city. "It is not easy being on alien territory with nowhere to get immediate financial succor from when an official delegation is confronted by such contingencies as medical emergencies involving convention delegates or such exigencies as impromptu networking and meetings with fellow delegates from other countries on the sidelines, or at the close, of a global gathering."
In the press conference, Dela Paz also said he is ready to face all investigations on the issue, saying he has all the documents to support his claims. He also noted that the amount will be returned to the "appropriate office" together with the liquidation report on the official expenses.
"I am ready and willing to face any investigation as I have nothing to hide," he said. "I have with me all supporting evidence to prove my innocence and clear my fellow delegates who had been unwittingly dragged into this controversy . These documents are the same papers submitted to the Russian authorities to prove that the money was a legal fund for a legal purpose."
He said he will face the Office of the Ombudsman on Wednesday, and the Senate later during the week.
The National Police Commission and the Commission on Audit will also investigate the issue, while a resolution has been filed at the House of Representatives seeking for its own immediate probe.
Earlier during the day, the Senate issued subpoenas to personalities and government agencies to give light on the Moscow incident.
Administration Senator Miriam Defensor Santiago, chairperson of the foreign relations committee, wanted all Interpol delegates, including former PNP comptroller Eliseo dela Paz, to personally appear in the hearing.
Aside from the Interpol delegates and their spouses, Santiago also issued subpoenas duces tecum to the Commission on Audit, Civil Service Commission, Department of Foreign Affairs, Department of Justice, Department of Budget and Management, Manila International Airport Authority, Anti-Money Laundering Council, Securities and Exchange Commission, and the Insurance Commission.
For a police official who had served the PNP for almost 37 years, De la Paz said that the incident at the Moscow International Aiport was “discomforting and upsetting" for him.
“I could have been the one setting an example in abiding by official rules and regulations whether here or abroad," he lamented.
Save for the Moscow trip incident, De la Paz claimed he had been righteous in all the years he was fulfilling his duties as a police official.
“Deep in my heart I know I have neither done anything illegal or nor abuse any of my position to help my career, let alone during this last few days in office," he said. - Johanna Camille Sisante, Mark Merueñas, GMANews.TV