Poe backs lifestyle check on PNP officials

MANILA, Philippines - Sen. Grace Poe yesterday backed the lifestyle check to be conducted on Philippine National Police officials as part of the Department of the Interior and Local Government’s efforts to weed out corrupt members of the PNP.

Poe urged top officials of the PNP, who would be the first to undergo lifestyle check, to cooperate with the Bureau of Internal Revenue by making their statements of assets, liabilities and net worth (SALNs) readily available.

“I think lifestyle checks should be a part of every agency’s internal affairs procedures to monitor and prevent corruption. SALNs of PNP officers and other government officials should be easily accessed by the public. Why keep it a secret if everything is aboveboard?” she said.

Poe had expressed dismay with PNP chief Director General Alan Purisima after he snubbed the hearing conducted by the Senate committee on public order, which she chairs, on the PNP modernization program and the peace and order situation in the country.

“As PNP chief, Purisima should have demonstrated his leadership by showing up to explain personally the things they are doing to reform the police force. It is not to lay blame on the PNP, but it is important that he explains to us what the plans are and where they will take us and how the legislature will be able to help with the programs of PNP modernization. Instead, he concocted an excuse and sent his underlings to answer the senators,” she said.

“Obviously they need support, input, they need guidance and leadership. PNP police visibility is one of the things they are trying to promote. And I think the chief should be the prime example of this.”

Poe said that weeding out the undesirables within the ranks of the PNP is a continuous process, but everything starts with leadership by example.

Apart from the lifestyle check, the senator said there is a need to take a closer look at the salaries and allowances of PNP officials as part of efforts to go after rogue policemen.

“We need to institutionalize safeguards and incentives that will prevent corruption. We need to review and increase the salaries and allowances of policemen to allow them to live with dignity. Strengthening an independent internal affairs office in the PNP is also important,” Poe said.

“But despite all these limitations and shortcomings, a majority of PNP personnel continue to serve and uphold the law as best as they can. Sadly, it is always the ‘bad eggs’ that merit attention in media,” she added.