Roxas says Versoza covering up for dela Paz
abs-cbnNEWS.com | 10/25/2008 1:58 PM
Printer-friendly version | 
Send to friend | 
Share your views
Sen. Manuel "Mar" Roxas II has accused Philippine National Police chief Director General Jesus Versoza of "covering up" for retired comptroller Eliseo dela Paz in his explanation that the 105, 000 euros found in dela Paz's possession in Moscow, Russia came from the PNP's intelligence funds.
"The people are waiting for the PNP Chief to be a vanguard of the truth, not the protector of falsehood," said Roxas, vice-chairman of the Senate Committee on Foreign Relations that is investigating the scandal involving dela Paz and several other high-ranking PNP officials.
The senator added that the PNP's chief claim that the money, worth 6.9 million in Philippine pesos, was allocated to purchase intelligence-gathering equipment abroad.
"This explanation only muddled the picture further. Instead of clarifying it, the explanation only opened more questions)," Roxas said.
He called Versoza's explanation as a "crude attempt to silence the Senate investigation". He reiterated a statement on Friday that said Versoza's cavalier attitude toward the scandal has proven to be alarming.
"Is this how they buy arms and intelligence equipment? Cash? No bidding? Do they really allow a retired official to buy sensitive equipment?" Roxas asked.
He said that by issuing contradicting statements, Versoza merely buried himself and the PNP officials involved.
"They are only burying themselves with this explanation. In using the excuse that de a Paz's money came from the intelligence funds, they have dragged the President into this mess," Roxas said.
The senator's statement came after Sen. Miriam Defensor Santiago rejected Saturday Versoza's request to conduct an executive session to investigate the incident instead of a panel probe that is open to the public.
"I disagree with the request of PNP Chief Director General Jesus Versoza that we hold an executive session in the next hearing of the Senate on this controversy. Any and all information related to this case must be shown and be made known to the public. What is there to hide from the public when it concerns public funds and public time?" he said.
"This incident has severely affected public trust and confidence in the ability of the PNP to enforce the law, especially as it was committed by a high ranking police official in wanton disregard of the guidelines on the use of public funds and restrictions on travel of government officials," Roxas added.
Santiago rejected Versoza's request on the grounds that the Moscow incident did not involved national security issues.
"The Committee on Foreign Relations denies your request to go into executive session, because there is no indication that your interrogation as a witness endangers national security," Santiago said in a letter addressed to Versoza.
The senator criticized Versoza for coming up with the idea of an executive session when he failed to explain how P6.9 million worth of euros was found undeclared in the possession of dela Paz at the Moscow international airport on October 11.
"Under oath, you testified that you did not know about the P6.9 million cash carried out of the country by PNP Comptroller Eliseo dela Paz. I understand that you are now requesting for an executive session in order to explain the purpose for which the cash was allegedly intended," Santiago said.
She also said that with his request, Versoza contradicted himself. She added that the request was "based on sham and frivolous grounds."
