The DILG is spearheading a lifestyle check among the PNP. Borrowing a phrase from the BIR, it is not wrong for a policeman to be a millionaire, for as long as he can show how he became one, legally. Because of the obvious increase in high profile crimes involving police officers, some with ranks as high as superintendent or chief inspector, a purge is warranted to weed out the scalawags. The DILG is finalizing plans to form an investigating body to handle the lifestyle checks. Even DILG Sec. Mar Roxas and PNP Director General Alan Purisima will not be spared from the said investigation into their wealth and assets.
The logic is obvious. If a person's lifestyle exceeds that of his known monthly earnings, such as policemen, then the money must be coming from somewhere else, whether legal or not. If legal, such as small businesses being run on the side, then they must be declared with the BIR, which incidentally is also being tapped by the DILG in helping with the investigations. Why this is only being done now, which should cover all people in government and not just the PNP, has been a question of mine for a long time. There are those who entered government service with very little to their name, but are now considered to be one of the richest in the country.
It is just unfortunate that such a move was publicly announced. I would have preferred a spot-check on the lifestyles of those already known to be wealthy. With the announcement, it seems everyone was given a fair warning. I'm sure those with something to hide are now frantically selling their expensive cars or keeping them stored somewhere. They would now stop wearing their Rolex watches. The would stop wearing their Lacoste t-shirts. Those bright, golden necklaces, bracelets and rings would disappear. Whatever cash they have in banks would now be transferred to safety deposit boxes. Those who live in posh subdivisions and villages, and yes there are policemen who live there, may actually be renting smaller, less conspicuous houses or apartments. Passports will be declared lost. Properties being transferred to different owners. Anything to avoid discovery and at the same time still hanging on to their loot.
For those with nothing to hide, they have nothing to fear. In fact, many policemen agree with the lifestyle check, citing the need to clean up the image of the PNP. Some want to know who these scalawags are. The DILG is even asking the help of the citizenry to identify any PNP officials who may be involved in criminal activities to enrich themselves. It is high time for the people to start being involved in purging the ranks of the PNP. The current purge should spare no one, no matter how high up he or she is.