Dela Paz: P6.9M cash was emergency fund for 8 cops
abs-cbnNEWS.com | 10/22/2008 6:07 PM
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| ABS-CBN senior correspondent Karen Davila with former police director Eliseo dela Paz |
The P6.9 million cash advance was a standby fund for possible emergencies that might happen to the 8-man PNP delegation in Russia.
This was the statement of Retired Gen. Eliseo dela Paz, the former Philippine National Police (PNP) comptroller who was accosted by Russian customs officials at a Moscow airport last October 11 for failing to declare 105,000 euros (around P6.9 million) on a return trip after attending the Interpol general assembly in St. Petersburg, Russia.
Dela Paz, in an exclusive interview with ABS-CBN senior correspondent Karen Davila on Wednesday, stood by his earlier statement that the money he failed to declare at the airport - which was in excess of the $10,000 limit for all international travelers - was a standby fund for the PNP delegation to the 77th Interpol General Assembly in St. Petersburg.
Dela Paz said the money was a cash advance he made specifically for the trip, which would be used in case of emergencies.
"Ang pera is a government fund. I took it upon myself na mag-cash advance. Umabot ng 105,000 euros... Siguro kung magkakaroon ng emergencies, standby fund, merong magkasakit, maaksidente, o dapat gawin ng delegasyon, dito natin kukunin," dela Paz said.
He said the cash advance was made based on his judgment, specifically in case of emergencies.
"The cash advance was judgment on my part,” said the retired police director.
“Based on past experience, ‘yong ibang nag-attend ng training sa abroad, one spent $80,000 yata for hospitalization in the US... I feel na siguro mas maganda na may dala ka, kaysa maghahanap ka pa ng pagkukunan mo," he said.
To explain what he meant, dela Paz showed ABS-CBN News receipts of medical expenses incurred when he was hospitalized during an official trip to Hawaii, which amounted to $20,000.
He said he paid in cash because their health care plan did not cover hospitalizations outside the country.
“Had authority for cash advances”
Dela Paz said that as a special disbursing officer of the PNP, he had the authority to make cash advances for official trips as long as the amounts are liquidated.
"Ang inaprubahan ni [Interior and Local Government] Secretary [Ronaldo Puno] is P2.3 (million) for travel expenses, travel, affair, hotel. Yung P6.9 million na tinatawag ko na standby fund, ‘yon ang aking kinash advance. I took it upon myself," he explained, adding that he was the one who approved the advance.
He said that if he had the intention of keeping the money for himself, he would have spent it in Moscow or have it deposited in a private account.
"Kung yan ay itatago ko hindi na sana lumabas kung iyan ang pananaw ng iba. Eh iyan ay perang galing sa Pilipinas, kaya kailangan dalhin ko rin sa labas ng Pilipinas. At yun ang obligasyon ko nga, I have to liquidate yung mga dala-dala ko para maclear din ako sa mga liabilities later on, so walang katotohanan yun na ang pera itatago ko o gagastusin ko," he said.
"Kung ginastos ko dapat wala na akong ibabalik," he added.
'Wife's expenses came from own money'
On the issue of their spouses accompanying them to their official trip, he said it is common practice among the delegates in the Interpol assembly.
"Sa mga misis [namin], kami ang may sagot noon... Meron naman po tayong hanapbuhay na puwedeng pagkunan," he said.
Dela Paz said he is ready to present to the Senate on Thursday his Statement of Assets, Liabilities and Net Worth (SALN), records regarding his family's business, as well as receipts to prove his wife's travel expenses came from his own pocket.
He insisted his only wrongdoing was not declaring the huge amount of money he carried with him at customs.
He also clarified he was not detained in Moscow, explaining that after questioning by Russian airport officials he was released from custody and was allowed to stay in a hotel near the Philippine Embassy in Moscow, until they were cleared for departure.
"Walang restrictions sa amin. Tinawagan namin ‘yong [Philippine] Embassy... Ang nangyari, binalik sa akin ang $3,000, ‘yong allowed na cash. We stayed in a hotel following day, ganon din... Sabi nila, submit documents supporting sa dalang pera and when we're ready, itawag lang at i-submit... We weren’t given a deadline," he said.
Dela Paz admitted the incident made him worry about his family.
"Sino ba'ng hindi kakabahan? Baka hindi ka makalabas, what will happen to your family?" he said.
He said the incident has left his wife and four children traumatized, but he said he will accept what happened and is ready to face the consequences.
"Oo [handa ako]... kung meron talagang kasong pwedeng ipataw laban sa akin, then I will face it. Yung pangalan na iningatan ko for almost 37 years ay malinis ko naman dito sa mga darating na imbestigasyon," dela Paz said.
