PNP chief bets told: Submit to lifestyle checks

MANILA, Philippines — A lawmaker yesterday urged the three top contenders for Philippine National Police (PNP) chief to voluntarily submit themselves to a lifestyle check to prevent another belated exposé of possible corruption. 

“I challenge the three PNP chief candidates to allow themselves to undergo a lifestyle check. They should also submit a history of their records from the time they entered the PNP,” ACT-CIS party-list Rep. Eric Go Yap proposed. 

The congressman also urged Interior Secretary Eduardo Año to check the contenders’ backgrounds to prevent a repeat of the recent controversy involving former PNP chief Oscar Albayalde. 

The legislator was referring to contenders Lt. Gen. Archie Gamboa who is the current PNP officer-in-charge, fellow Lt. Gen. Camilo Cascolan (PNP deputy for operations) and Maj. Gen. Guillermo Eleazar (chief of directorial staff). 

Año has submitted to President Duterte the names of the three officers vying to succeed Albayalde, who has been accused of being involved in the recycling of seized drugs. 

“The DILG should conduct an extensive research and find out what were the cases filed against these police officials, or if they have been involved in anomalies, because the President’s appointment of officials only becomes a waste,” Yap lamented. 

Yap is chairman of the House committee on games and amusement.