Former police chief Alan Purisima charged for SALN law violation

MANILA, Philippines — Former Philippine National Police (PNP) chief Alan Purisima, who is being prosecuted for his alleged role in the 2015 Mamasapano clash, now faces a criminal case of perjury before the Sandiganbayan.

The Office of the Ombudsman lodged the case against him last Friday, alleging that he failed to declare his wife’s ownership of a property in his statement of assets, liabilities and net worth (SALN) in 2006.

Assistant Special Prosecutor Ireneo Paldeng maintained that Purisima should be held liable for violating Article 183 of the Revised Penal Code, which penalizes the crime of perjury or lying under oath since full disclosure is mandated by law.

He said the former PNP chief “willfully, unlawfully and feloniously made a willful and deliberate assertion of falsehood” by not declaring a property owned by his wife Maria Ramona Lydia covered by a certificate of land ownership award.

The Office of the Ombudsman said disclosure and declaration of the property is also required under Section 7 of Republic Act 3019 or the Anti-Graft and Corrupt Practices Act and RA 6713 or the Code of Conduct and Ethical Standards for Public Officials and Employees.

Purisima and former Special Action Forces director Getulio Napeñas face charges of usurpation of authority and graft arising from the Mamasapano clash that led to the death of 44 elite policemen in an operation to arrest Malaysian terrorist and bomb maker Zulkifli bin Hir, alias Marwan, and his Filipino associate Abdul Basit Usman.

As this developed, the Civil Service Commission (CSC) reminded all public officials and employees yesterday to file their SALN for 2017 by April 30.

This should contain true, detailed and sworn declaration of one’s assets, liabilities, net worth, business interests and financial connections, as well as relatives in government service within the fourth degree of consanguinity or affinity as of the end of the preceding year, the CSC said.

Those holding career positions under temporary status are also required to file their SALN, while a husband and wife may file their SALN jointly or separately, the CSC added.

Aside from their annual submission, government employees must file their SALNs within 30 days from the date of assumption of office, as well as within 30 days after separation from the service.

CSC chair Alicia Bala said the filing of the SALN is a sworn duty of every government worker and is in line with the principle that public office is a public trust. 

“As public servants, it is our way of signifying that we are in government only to serve the public and not to use our positions to enrich ourselves or our families,” she said.

“We remind government workers to file their SALN as early as possible to give the (review and compliance committee) ample time to evaluate the submissions,” she added.