MIRIAM SAYS MOSCOW CASH MAY BE FROM COPS' "PATRONS",
WANTS NAPOLCOM REORG

Sen. Miriam Defensor Santiago said that the cash caught by Moscow customs officials from retired Philippine National Police (PNP) Director Eliseo de la Paz last Saturday may have come from "police patrons."

"The source of the money should be clarified--if it is public money, then the question is, who authorized it. If it is private money, where did it come from?" she said.

Santiago, vice-chair of the Senate Committee on Finance, wants the Senate to investigate why De la Paz was carrying an excessive amount of money for a PNP-sanctioned foreign trip.

"He could have deposited it to the PNP's account, if there was any, and only carry the amount needed to pay for airport fees and other expenses on their way back to the Philippines," Santiago said.

The senator also called for the reorganization of the National Police Commission (Napolcom) through Senate Bill No. 2269. She wants Napolcom to have more control over the PNP on top of its administrative and supervisory functions.

"It has to be given more teeth rather than just be a paper tiger," Santiago said.

Under Santiago's proposed law, the Napolcom will take full charge of PNP's operations relating to public safety. It will also have direct influence over matters the as such the PNP's budget, and the standards of appointment, performance and activities of police personnel.