Philippine National Police chief Director General Jesus Verzosa may be held administratively liable if the National Police Commission finds out that he was remiss in his duty to prevent the allegedly illegal activities of retired PNP comptroller Eliseo dela Paz, a top Napolcom official said Friday.

"It's important that the chief PNP (Philippine National Police) fully explains this mess. If he fails to prove that he had done his responsibility (as chief of the PNP), penalties may be imposed on him, administrative and criminal," lawyer Ed Escueta, Napolcom vice chairman, told radio dzMM.

Escueta added that Verzosa should be able to present to Napolcom investigators evidence that would prove he did not authorized the excessive "cash advance" made by dela Paz from the PNP.

Verzosa was among top government officials grilled by members of the Senate Committee on Foreign Affairs about the P6.9 million worth of euros seized  by Russian customs authorities from dela Paz at the Moscow international airport on October 11.

Sen. Manuel "Mar" Roxas, member of the panel, had said that Verzosa's answers during Thursday's hearing were "conditional" and "tentative." He said Verzosa could have been hiding something from the public.

The top police official repeatedly assured Roxas and other senators that the PNP will look into their suspicions that the money caught in dela Paz's possession was from illicit sources.

Critics said that the P6.9 million could have been illegally acquired by dela Paz or from the numbers racket, "jueteng."

Escueta said dela Paz was only authorized by the Napolcom to make a P2.3 million as cash advance for the eight-man PNP delegation to the 77th Interpol General Assembly in St. Petersburg, Russia.

He admitted that the P6.9 million was excessive for an eight-man delegation and a week-long Interpol meet, even if it was held in Europe.

Napolcom probe 'slightly' open to media

Escueta said the Napolcom may officially start its own investigation into the mess involving dela Paz and other the other Interpol delegates on Thursday or Friday next week.

He said the agency was just waiting for the police officials' submission of their itemized expenses and whereabouts during the Interpol assembly.

Escueta said the Napolcom will also ask for Verzosa's explanation on the money that was caught from dela Paz.

The spouses who tagged along their policeman husbands may also be questioned by the Napolcom about their expenses while in Russia "if necessary," Escueta added.

He said if the police officials fail to justify the expenses and the money they brought to Russia, they may be suspended or dismissed from the service.

Escueta said that in dela Paz, who retired during the week-long Interpol meet, may be charged criminally and ripped of his retirement benefits rights if the Napolcom finds out that the money he brought to Russia was illicitly sourced.

The Napolcom official said the media may also cover the conduct of their investigation, but, said, there will be restrictions.

He said some parts of the questioning, especially if its about sensitive issues, will not be revealed to the media.