Bacalzo welcomes whistle-blowers on PNP corruption

By Jason de Asis

CABANATUAN CITY, February 16, 2011-Philippine National Police Chief, Director General Raul Bacalzo yesterday said that he welcomes the possibility of whistle-blowers who will expose corruption in the PNP in the mold of retired Army Colonel George Rabusa, saying that he welcomes any investigation, even lifestyle checks similar to those already conducted by the Office of the Ombudsman and the Presidential Anti-Graft Commission.

“Much as we are implementing reforms, including fiscal reforms, we are ready to face any form of investigation,” he said, reiterating that he and his men are ready to face charges that senior PNP officials also receive the so-called “pasalubong” (welcome gift) and “pabaon (send-off gift). He said he is not aware of any pabaon.

“I don’t have knowledge on that. In the first place, I have never retired to even get a taste of that. And I will never try receiving that if there is any,” he said.

“The PNP will abide with any instruction coming from relevant authorities for a closer examination of its systems and procedures in its financial transactions,” he added.

Earlier, Bacalzo directed Rey Lanada, Director for Comptrollership and Chief Supt. Rizaldo Tungala Jr., Director for Finance, to render a report to congressional oversight bodies so that these can be effective guided in their inquiries in aid of legislation.  

At the same time, Bacalzo said he would favor a proposal to set up two sets of police, one national in scope and one local but on certain conditions.

“If in case it would result to the betterment of the PNP as an organization, why not? However, there must be a clear delineation of functions so that their respective functions would not interfere with each other,” he said.

He added that the functions of the National Bureau of Investigation and the Criminal Investigation and Detection Group should also be well spelled out. (Jason de Asis)