Palace orders PNP fund mess probe

Malacañang ordered Interior and Local Government Secretary Jose Lina yesterday to investigate the supposed diversion of some P272 million intended to fund an increase in the pensions of police retirees.

"Secretary Lina knows this and he said he will make an announcement regarding this investigation at the proper time," Presidential Spokesman Ignacio Bunye said yesterday, reacting to a STAR report on the fund mess which allegedly involves Metro Manila police chief Deputy Director General Reynaldo Velasco.

But Velasco, who is being implicated in the fund mess by retired Director Guillermo Domondon, refused to comment further on the issue and said he would only "open his mouth" before the proper forum.

"I’ve already explained my side on the issue. I will talk only before the Senate or other forum so the truth will come out," Velasco said, referring to the investigation Sen. Robert Barbers is asking the Senate to initiate.

Velasco served as Philippine National Police (PNP) comptroller before he assumed his current post as National Capital Regional Police Office (NCRPO) director.

At the same time, Velasco’s supporters at Camp Crame questioned Domondon’s exposé and claimed the revelation was only a "demolition job" meant to derail Velasco’s chances of becoming PNP chief.

Domondon, president of the PNP Retirees Association Inc. (PRAI), told The STAR on Saturday that the Department of Budget and Management (DBM) earmarked some P272 million for the payment of an increase in the pensions of retired policemen but the retirees have not received a centavo of it.

Velasco’s supporters questioned the timing of Domondon’s revelation.

"Why he brought the matter before the media and not the proper forum puzzles us. He should know whom to talk to and what to do because he was former PNP comptroller himself," said a police official who refused to be identified.

Other officials said the exposé was only a demolition job on Velasco, who they believe to be a strong contender for the top PNP post when incumbent PNP chief Director General Hermogenes Ebdane Jr. retires next year.

"This early, the demolition job against top contenders for the top PNP post has started," said another police official who also refused to be identified.

The official said Velasco is slated to replace PNP deputy director for administration Deputy Director General Clyde Fernandez, who is scheduled to retire in April.

He also noted that the PNP high command is now deliberating on the best PNP regional command that would be recognized in the PNP anniversary rites later this month and this could also be a way of putting Velasco down.

But Domondon said he only decided to make the matter public after the PNP’s repeated refusal to act on the complaint of at least 12,000 police retirees that they have not received an increase in their pensions although the DBM has already allocated the funds for the purpose.

Domondon said the DBM earmarked P272.932 million for the pensions of some 12,000 to 17,000 retirees and was released last year when Velasco was still comptroller.

The retirees have not received the increase in their pensions and the PRAI noted irregularities in the disbursement of the funds.

Domondon said that if the PNP continues to refuse to act on their complaint, the PRAI would stage protest rallies inside Camp Crame.

Velasco had earlier blamed his successor, incumbent PNP comptroller Director Victor Signey for the fund mess but Signey and the PRAI blamed Velasco. Domondon said his group may even charge Velasco with graft or technical malversation for alleged diversion of funds. — Paolo Romero, Non Alquitran