White House construction aboveboard, PNP insists

MANILA, Philippines - The construction of the controversial P11.4-million White House, the official residence of the Philippine National Police chief at Camp Crame was aboveboard, the PNP insisted yesterday.

“It is a property given by the friends of PNP chief Director General Alan Purisima and will be used by future PNP chiefs,” Chief Superintendent Reuben Theodore Sindac, director of the PNP Public Information Office, said.

Citing security reasons, Sindac said the identity of the private donors could not be immediately revealed to the public.

Earlier, Interior Secretary Mar Roxas identified individuals who contributed funds for the renovation of the Camp Crame house.

Roxas said they are Carlos Gonzales of Ulticon Builders, lawyer Alexander Lopez of Pacific Concrete Corp. and Christopher Pastrana of CAPP Industries.

Sindac reiterated that the project was undertaken through a “design and build” scheme in line with the donors’ corporate social responsibility.

Earlier reports said that the official residence of the PNP chief cost P20 million.

Apart from the White House issue, Purisima has been under fire for high-profile crimes in Metro Manila involving policemen and for alleged unexplained wealth.

The PNP said they needed to renovate the old house after it was badly damaged by Typhoon Ondoy in 2009.

An assessment conducted by the Department of Public Works and Highways on Feb. 27, 2013 showed that the location of the house is prone to flooding during heavy rains, the PNP said.