Focus on big fish, not small fry, in lifestyle check – Solon

A pro-administration congressman urged the Presidential Anti-Graft Commission (PAGC) yesterday to "focus on and catch the big fish, not the small fry."

"The PAGC must direct its anti-corruption drive on corrupt Cabinet members, undersecretaries, assistant secretaries, bureau directors, and other presidential appointees. It should not waste its time investigating corruption among policemen," said Rep. Willie Buyson Villarama (Aksyon Demokratiko, Bulacan).

Villarama was reacting to the suggestion of Justice Secretary Hernando Perez that the government’s anti-corruption campaign should be widened to include policemen - officers from the rank of PO1 up to director general.

"This campaign should start from the top," Villarama stressed. "The honest among Cabinet members, their underlings and other presidential appointees should have nothing to fear."

Meanwhile, top Philippine National Police (PNP) officials welcomed the move to subject them and police personnel to a lifestyle check by the PAGC as suggested by Secretary Perez.

Director Virtus Gil, Chief of the PNP Directorial Staff, said that the PNP sees no problem if all officers and men of the police force will be asked to undergo scrutiny for unexplained wealth and extravagant lifestyle.

Gil added that he will discuss with top PNP officials the possibility of allowing other agencies, including the media, to look into the Statements of Assets and Liabilities of police officials. Under the present setup, PNP officials bar the media from getting copies of police personnel’s SALS citing confidentiality.

"We can make it transparent, publish it all," he said.

With regards to President Arroyo’s order to pursue lifestyle check on presidential appointees, Villarama, who was Mrs. Arroyo’s chief of staff when she was Vice President, suggested that for a start the PAGC should look into reports that a Cabinet member made millions shaking down allies of ousted President Joseph Estrada.

Another official, he said, reportedly received a huge payoff in foreign currency in connection with a power plant deal.

"The best way to strike fear in the hearts of corrupt policemen and small employees is to catch the crooks among Cabinet members and other high-ranking officials," he said.

He pointed out that the anti-corruption campaign that Mrs. Arroyo has ordered would be a laughingstock if it catches the small fry.

Rep. Prospero Nograles (Lakas, Davao City) agreed with Villarama and said that it should not be difficult for the PAGC to identify corrupt bureaucrats. All that the investigators have to do "is open their eyes and ears," he said.

"Corrupt officials wallow in luxury. They live scandalously beyond their means. They flaunt their newfound wealth. You can see them in casinos and exclusive golf and country clubs. They live in affluent enclaves. They send their children to schools abroad," he added.

In the PNP, Gil said he is only awaiting orders from PNP Chief Director General Hermogenes Ebdane Jr. to issue the implementing guidelines needed to pursue the lifestyle check. He is set to discuss the issue with General Ebdane shortly after he returns from Southern Mindanao.

As this developed, Malacañang lauded the move to include military and police personnel to the lifestyle checks.

Presidential Spokesman Rigoberto Tiglao said that Malacañang is also trying to find a way to include First Gentleman Jose Miguel Arroyo in the interest of transparency. He said that Justice Secretary Perez and PAGC Chairman Dario Rama could meet to discuss if Mr. Arroyo can be included in the lifestyle check even if he is not a government official. – With Christina Mendez, Paolo Romero