MANILA, FEBRUARY 19, 2011 (STAR) Malacañang is ready to investigate allegations of fugitive Sen. Panfilo Lacson that the Philippine National Police also hands out welcome and sendoff cash gifts to PNP chiefs.
However, deputy presidential spokesman Abigail Valte said a witness must first come out before any investigation can be conducted.
At the Senate, Blue Ribbon committee chairman Teofisto Guingona III has rejected Lacson's call for a probe of PNP funds.
"If ever (we will look into this), I will just end this (probe on the) military (first). Otherwise this will be non-ending and we might still be here by December," he said.
Valte said "we will certainly order an investigation" on the PNP if a witness comes out.
"Again, this is different as in the case of 'pabaon' in the AFP where you have a witness" who has a first-hand account, she said.
Any investigation would depend on what Lacson, PNP chief during the Estrada administration, would reveal, she said.
"Senator Lacson said that he is ready to put down his allegations in an affidavit, meaning under oath," she said.
Given the current situation of the senator, she said it is best to wait until his affidavit comes out.
Guingona said, "We will end first this chapter on the military corruption first so that there will be a resolution to this before we go to another issue," he added.
Guingona said a probe into allegations of corruption in the PNP could be an exercise in futility without Lacson coming out to testify.
"Yes, that would be a problem because other than that what can you investigate?" he said. "Maybe you can call the PNP and if they just deny it then that's it."
Sen. Miriam Defensor-Santiago said Lacson must present proof of his allegations.
"That's the problem with corruption, you need an eyewitness," she said. "If you don't have that, it's all just talk because you cannot prove anything. So we'll need an eyewitness."
"I hope that Senator Lacson can at least persuade some of those people who are now retired like himself to come out and tell the truth," she said.
Interior Secretary Jesse Robredo said he will ask the PNP auditor to check if previous chiefs had received sendoff gifts.
"That's why I'm going back to (Camp) Crame," he said. "I will meet with the auditor."
Robredo said he will also ask the auditor to check if the control measures are working properly.
"In fact I want to ask the auditor, 'what is your control system?'" he said.
Robredo said he welcomes anyone who can provide information of alleged corruption in the PNP.
"If there is anyone who can provide information I hope he does," he said, so they will know the real score.
Robredo said any investigation would face a blank wall in the absence of a paper trail.
"I hope (the allegations) can be substantiated because we are interested in ferreting out the truth but until we have the details, it's difficult to say," he said. - Delon Porcalla, Marvin Sy, Cecille, Suerte Felipe, Aie Balagtas See
Chief News Editor: Sol Jose Vanzi
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