Ombudsman: No need to summon De la Paz, euro generals

Retired police comptroller Eliseo de la Paz and other ranking police generals implicated in the unauthorized release of some P7 million in cash advances from police intelligence funds will no longer be required to appear before a fact-finding probe of the Office of the Ombudsman.

Assistant Ombudsman Mark Jalandoni said their appearance is no longer necessary because the anti-graft agency already had enough evidence and documents to come up with its findings.

All investigators needed was affirmation of the documents gathered from officials the Foreign Affairs and the Commission on Audit, he added.

Jalandoni said investigators will now finalize their findings, which would clear the respondents or indict them.

“Give us two more weeks and we will release the findings – hopefully before the yearend,” he said.

Earlier, the Office of the Ombudsman said it would take into consideration the testimony of De la Paz before the Senate taking full responsibility for the unauthorized release of the P7-million from police intelligence funds.

Jalandoni said the admission of De la Paz during the hearing has been put on record by the special investigating panel.

“His admission would be used in our investigation as part of records – especially since it was under oath,” he said.

Jalandoni said investigators would review affidavits submitted by De la Paz and other top police officials and compare them to his testimony before the Senate.

“We will still be comparing his (De la Paz’s) admission with the documents that we already have. What he said may not be necessarily true,” he said.

De la Paz could face charges of graft and malversation of public funds if the panel proves that he violated rules of the Philippine National Police on release of funds, Jalandoni said.

PNP awaits euros

The Philippine National Police is awaiting the return of the 105,000 euros seized from De la Paz at Moscow International Airport last Oct. 11.

Chief Superintendent Nicanor Bartolome, PNP spokesman, said they have yet to receive word from the Russian government about the money.

“We have to understand the process being done by the Russian government,” he said.

The PNP request for an official report by the Russian government on the incident remained unanswered, Bartolome said.

Earlier, PNP chief Director General Jesus Verzosa said he is banking on the statement of the Russia-based lawyer of De la Paz that the 105,000 euros would be returned soon.    –WIth Cecille Suerte Felipe