Press Release
October 23, 2008

KIKO CALLS FOR IMMEDIATE PREVENTIVE SUSPENSION OF PNP OFFICIALS LINKED TO EURO CONTROVERSY

Senate Majority Leader and Independent senator Kiko Pangilinan today called for the immediate suspension of all PNP officials connected to the controversial P9.2-million travel fund for the 77th Interpol General Assembly in Russia.

"All PNP officials connected with this controversy must be suspended as a preventive measure. We should not open the pieces of evidence of this case to manipulation, especially when we're dealing with highly-placed officials of this agency. Let's not give anyone the chance to tamper with the evidence," Kiko said.

The Senate today held its first hearing on the so-called Euro generals, which caused a stir after Philippine National Police comptroller Eliseo de la Paz got in trouble at the Moscow International Airport in Oct. 11 for traveling with a total of P9.2 million in his possession. Despite the Senate subpoena, de la Paz and his wife, who also went on the trip, failed to show up at the Senate Committee on Foreign Affairs investigation. Committee Chair Miriam Defensor-Santiago ordered the arrest of de la Paz.

"By not showing up at the hearing today, de la Paz is only digging his grave, and he's dragging the entire PNP along with him. The people need to know the truth behind all the suspicious transactions in this trip, and he cannot run away from this responsibility," Kiko added.

"Besides the incredulity of the idea of a government official carrying such an unbelievable amount of cash while traveling abroad, so many violations have already surfaced in today's hearings. It's incredible how possible violations against the Customs Law, the Immigration Law, the Anti-money Laundering Act, EO 298, and the BSP Circular, among others have been committed for this trip. Obviously, somebody thinks he can get away with it," Kiko added.

"The leadership of PNP must step up. In today's hearing, all these officials are washing their hands off the issue. But in the final analysis, they are liable for this embarrassment. If they knew about it in advance, then how could they let this happen? If they didn't, then they are guilty of negligence." Kiko ended.

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