Charges of graft and malversation should be filed against retired Philippine National Police (PNP)  comptroller Eliseo de la Paz, a congressman said Sunday.

Parañaque City Rep. Roilo Golez said that that the charges should be filed by the Office of the Ombudsman after more details on the P6.93 million cash advance came out of a Senate probe in Saturdays hearing.

The retired police director told senators in the hearing that he takes full responsibility for the release of the cash advance out of the PNP intelligence fund which, he said, he later converted into 105,000 euros and brought with him  to the 77th Interpol conference held in St. Petersburg, Russia. The amount was seized by Russian customs officials for exceeding the Russian airport limit on cash that can be carried by a passenger.

Golez said however that de la Paz may still be protecting “bigger people” whom the legislator said maybe behind the release of the large amount and who should also be charged with the same offenses.

"Kahit inako niya iyon, di ibig sabihin walang sabit ang mga malalaking tao, may nakakaalam nito bago niya kinuha ‘yong pera," said Golez.

The same sentiment was echoed by Senate Minority Leader Aquilino Pimentel Jr. in a statement Sunday.

“My impression was that he was acting like a member of the Mafia, the notorious gangsters’ group in the United States. Once he is caught by the police, he is expected not to squeal on his confederates in the organization even if this will cost him his life, bound as he is by omerta, the code of silence,” said Pimentel. 

The minority leader said he was perplexed why De la Paz chose to keep silent and invoked his right against self-incrimination when he was queried by Senator Loren Legarda how he was able to take the money out of the Philippines. 

Pimentel said this has given rise to suspicion that the money came from other sources and somebody carried and delivered the money to De la Paz 

"On that point, just as in any criminal case, he really pinned the blame entirely on himself. He was the one who put the rope around his neck with which to hang himself," Pimentel observed. 

Reforms

National Police chief Director General Jesus Versoza  meanwhile in a statement released by the PNP Sunday said that “appropriate reforms are underway in all aspects of police administration and management that were discussed during the height of the Senate Blue Ribbon and Foreign Relations committees last Saturday.”

The statement said he has ordered a technical working group formed to “conduct a thorough review of existing policies and procedures involved in fiscal management, procurement, foreign travel, and recruitment.”

The PNP directorial Staff has also been ordered to “formulate policies that will strengthen the PNP Internal Affairs Service and possibly expand its oversight function.”

Chief Superintendent Nicanor Bartolome Jr., PNP spokesman, in the statement said that Verzosa’s instructions were prompted by “some revelations” during the Saturday’s hearing in the Senate.