by Raymond Africa
Malaya
Former comptroller Director Eliseo dela Paz arrived yesterday from Moscow, saying he will take full responsibility for failing to declare 107,000 euros (around P6.9 million) to Russian customs authorities.
Dela Paz offered no excuses.
“I regret having been remiss in my obligations as a departing visitor in Russia in inadvertently failing to report to airport authorities the amount of cash in my possession at that time,” he said.
Dela Paz clarified the money “was the cash advance for the use of the PNP delegation to the 77th Interpol General Assembly in Saint Petersburg.”
“I take full responsibility for this lapse that has undeservedly led to a negative public perception of the institution that I hold so dearly and have served faithfully and honestly through the years,” he said.
“I took from my authorized P10 million cash advance bonded authority the amount of P6.93 million which I converted into 105,000 Euros as the standby revolving fund for our official travel.”
Based on the National Police Commission approved budget, the eight-man delegation was allotted P2.3 million in travel expenses.
“I assure you that while our standby fund may seem large by average standards, prudence had governed our expenditures, and the liquidation report that I will be submitting soon for scrutiny and approval of official auditors will bear that out,” he said at a press conference at the Saisaki restaurant on Edsa.
He said that he will present in due time or in the proper forum all the supporting papers, like the ones he presented to Russian authorities, to prove there was no malice on his part.
“The money will be returned to the appropriate office together with my liquidation report on our official expenses during the Interpol conference. I am ready and willing to face any investigation as I have nothing to hide.”
He said he will present himself to the Ombudsman today which has also wanted to question him.
Dela Paz flew in via Singapore Airlines without the cash in his possession.
A press conference at the airport did not push through. “I want to go back to my family first, nag-aalala mga anak ko and to assure them also that OK ako.”
He said a press conference later was arranged for him by friends.
“Ako’y nagpasalamat sa ating Panginoon, alam ko namang umpisa pa lang God is in control of the situation and now I am back here in our country,” he said.
Dela Paz and his wife were held by Russian authorities last October 11 after 105,000 euros was found in their luggage as they were about to depart for the Philippines.
Dela Paz, along with seven police generals and five wives, went to St. Petersburg, Russia for the 77th Interpol General Assembly, from October 7 to 10.
At the NAIA, Dela Paz appeared affected by the incident as he failed to present his baggage declaration form.
“I am sorry sir but we need your baggage declaration form before you can go out of the airport,” Tess Roque, customs deputy collector for arrival passenger services, told him.
When Dela Paz went through customs examination and was asked by examiner Rosario Domilon whether he was carrying any cash, he replied: “None.”
Dela Paz said he left the money behind in Russia. “It would be sent to me by the Russians via electronic wire transfer in the name of Chief PNP Director General Jesus Versoza for safekeeping.”
The Senate committee on foreign relations sent invitations to government officials for its initial hearing into the “Euro generals” issue scheduled for Thursday.
The panel was expected to issue subpoenas duces tecum yesterday, after the arrival of Sen. Pia Cayetano, who is Senate officer-in-charge.
Cayetano will approve the subpoenas as required by Senate Rules, on authority of Senate President Manny Villar who is out of the country.
Those summoned were Commission on Audit chair Reynaldo Villar, Civil Service Commission chair Ricardo Saludo, Secretary Joaquin Lagonera of the Presidential Legislative Liaison Office, Foreign Affairs Secretary Alberto Romulo, Justice Secretary Raul Gonzales and Budget Secretary Rolando Andaya.
Romulo will be asked to produce documents executed or testimony given by Dela Paz in Moscow.
Andaya will be asked about the 2008 PNP budget, and the proposed 2009 PNP budget
Lagonera will be asked to produce documents on all executive issuances, such as executive orders or administrative orders, concerning official travel of government personnel in the executive branch.
The committee also invited Immigration Commissioner Marcelino Libanan; Director Rolando Garcia (ret); Deputy Director General Emmanuel Carta, deputy chief for administration, and wife; Deputy Director General Ismael Rafanan, deputy chief for operations; Director Romeo Ricardo, director for plans; Director Silverio Alarcio Jr., director for operations; Director Silverio Doria, director for human resources and doctrine development; and Chief Supt. Jaime Caringal, PNP regional director for Zamboanga Peninsula; Interior Secretary Ronaldo Puno; and NBI director Nestor Mantaring, among others.
Malacañang dismissed any need to invoke executive privilege and bar officials of the police and the Department of Interior and Local Government from attending inquiries on the Moscow incident.
“Basta si (Interior) Secretary (Ronaldo) Puno na ang bahala. Pinapaubaya na sa kanya iyan,” Executive Secretary Eduardo Ermita said. – With Jay Chua, JP Lopez and Jocelyn Montemayor
De la Paz’ lines sound familiar. Remember in July 2005, some said “I’m sorry…. for the lapse in judgment”?
It was a hollow “I’m sorry” because after that, the more brazen she became in violating the Constitution.
This is an identical Malacanang script during the Hello Garci political scam. General De La Paz has violated a law for not declaring his Euros (6.9 M pesos) at Manila’s NAIA airport. Anak ng jueteng, hangang sorry na lang ba?
“I recognize that making any such call was a lapse in judgment. I am sorry. I also regret taking so long to speak before you on this matter”. Gloria Arroyo
Malacanang crooks are good in inventing terms/words to justify their crimes. “Contingency Fund”, “Cash Advance”, “Lapse…”.
Take note when De La Paz spoke to the media upon arrival…he read a prepared speech. If a person is really sincere in making an apology, it has to come from his heart…and one way is to say straight from his heart without reading a script. Who prepared the speech? Compare it to Jun Lozada’s narration of events. He had no prepared speeches. He emotionally poured out everything he knew.
Normally, in our business trips, we are given at most 50 USD per hotel nights to cover meals. So with four nights (Oct 7 to 10) that would make it 200 USD per person. With a delegation of eight, that would make it 1,600 USD for meals.
For transportation, assuming they take taxi or limo to the convention area, then this might be a separate allowance. Granting a generous 200 USD per person, that would make it 1,600 USD for transportation.
For hotel stay, if they stay in an expensive hotel at 200 USD per night and assuming no room sharing, then each delegate will have to pay 800 USD for a total of 6,400 USD.
If you add up all of the above, it would amount to 9,600 USD or 480,000 pesos. That would make 6,930,000 pesos that de la Paz advanced overkill.
The trend continues….
and the hapless citizenry can not do anything or just gave up and wait till 2010. This is what I have been saying all along: this is the ugliest part of Marcos legacy.
Obama, McCain, comedians?
ano, hanggang sorry na naman lang ba talaga? at dinawit na naman ang pangalan ng Panginoon, na kesyo in control from the start. hay naku, ano ba yan?
ipapadala yung pera c/0 versoza. may makikita pa ba ang mga pinoy nito sa halagang ipapadala? eh kung mag decide ang russian government na hindi na ipadala, mahahabol pa kaya nila? kahit bawasan pa ng multa sa non-declaration, malaking halaga pa rin yun.
pero, hindi kasing-laki ng iba pang mga itinatagong halaga na nakulimbat na nila kay juan de la cruz.
Mga kasangga, take a look at the officers who attended the Interpol conference. May common denominator ang mga “Euro Generals” na iyan. Most, if not all of them, are PMAers and were assigned in juetueng areas. In short, they have money coming from jueteng, and “contingency fund” is not a problem. Eli dela Paz is no different from Gen Garcia as both are Comptrollers (they control the money of their agencies, Garcia for the AFP and Dela Paz for the PNP). Ano pa nga ba ang sasabihin kundi sorry. It is easier to say I’m Sorry than to ask permission “to spend the money of the PNP.”
While watching the TFC last night, i felt pity for the children who were shown clotheless, foodless and homeless. Then comes Dele Paz who justifies that the money he brought to Moscow is just a contingency fund. How funny!!! Isang mamang pulis na walang budhi. Hindi ba niya nakikita ang kalagayan ng mga taong hindi na kumakain, walang matuluyan, walang damit…mired in poverty? Bring him on, Madame Santiago. Sige bitayin mo silang lahat. Hala bira…
The Russians were jealous with the Philippine National Police not because they’re more damned good than the Russian elite forces.They are jealous because the Philippine police officers carry a loaded cash when they travel.Not only in ten of thousands but millions.What can you say about that Nikolai!!!
wala naman daw ginawang illegal???
halimbawa na lang, hindi sila nahuli sa moscow, anong mangyayari kaya doon sa 105,000 euro?
cash advance? with supporting documents ba?
contingency fund? para saan? pang shopping nila? hindi sa russia, kundi sa hongkong?
o tira na lang yun at paghahati-hatian na lang nila?
lalong nagpapaliwanag, lalong nadadagdagan ang mga tanong.
yan ang policy ng gobyerno ni gloria:
better to ask forgiveness than permission.
pati mga alipores niya, gumaya na talaga sa kanya. numero unong sinungaling at kurakot.
Sabi ni Kimuchi doon sa blog ko, iyun daw euro na nakumpiska kay Dela Paz ay mga taya ng mga Ruso sa pataya niyang Jueteng,Gusto kasing mag expand ng iternational operation ang mga Jueteng lord,nabulilyaso lang si Dela Paz dahil gusto niyang idivedendo kaya nagalit ang mga ruso na tumaya sa kanya at ipinahuli siya sa airport.
At the NAIA, Dela Paz appeared affected by the incident as he failed to present his baggage declaration form.
“I am sorry sir but we need your baggage declaration form before you can go out of the airport,” Tess Roque, customs deputy collector for arrival passenger services, told him.
When Dela Paz went through customs examination and was asked by examiner Rosario Domilon whether he was carrying any cash, he replied: “None.”
Ellen, I purposely pasted the one above, from the news item of dela paz’ arrival sa customs.
bakit kailangan mag-sorry yung tess roque, trabaho niya dapat ang inspeksyionin ang bagahe ni dela paz. ano, hugas kamay, dahil noong umalis, hindi “kinakapkapan”?
kung yung tanong kung may dalang cash naitanong nung paalis, di sana, hindi na nakapunta pa ng russia. unless, tinanong man sa hindi, meron mga kasabwat!
mga engot pa rin talaga.
Here is a question to ponder. A retired or a retiring officer, given a TEN MILLIONS Cash Advance? in which is above and beyond the authorized amount as Per Guidelines? Make Sense? now the lying begins. all i ask is of them to gather together, script it, practice and make it a little more convincing, something that is worth nominating for an Oscar.
Mukhang nilaglag ng Malacañang itong si De la Paz. Ganyan talaga kapag wala ng pakinabang sa yo.Leksyon yan sa mga nagpu-prutekta kay Arroyo.
Makakabawi lang sila sa taumbayan kung magsabi sila ng totoo. If they continue to lie, they deserve how they are being treated by Arroyo.
Look at what happened to JDV.
“Basta si (Interior) Secretary (Ronaldo) Puno na ang bahala. Pinapaubaya na sa kanya iyan,” Executive Secretary Eduardo Ermita said”
Ang kapal nitong si Ermita.
Noong isang araw ang sabi ni Puno, contingency fund daw iyon. Kanina sa balita, di daw authorized yun. Ang authorized lang daw ay yung 2.3M. Ano ba talaga? Kahit yung 2.3M ang laki nun para sa contingency fund. Tama yung sabi sa taas. “Mga engot pa rin talaga.” Di lang engot mag sugapang tanga pa.
Sorry Mr. dela paz, your “sorry” is not enough. You have to answer for all the violations you have committed. You have to be jailed, your retirement benefits be forfeited, and your illegally and unexplainable assets be confiscated. That is what you deserve. But the question is, will you get what you deserve? Maybe not under corrupt GMA, but for sure you will get a commensurate punishment, that we will pray for.
Malacanang has announced that it would not stop the Senate from asking De la Paz to the hearing. He shall not invoke the executive privilege. Do you know why? Because for the first time, the Evil Bitch and her Evil Husband were not involved in the scam. It was limited to the PNP. This is the best opportunity for Malacanang to gain pogi points by showing that the government doesn’t condone corruption considering that the country is in the bottom 50 in fighting corruption. The UN is considering stopping or lessening its aids to the Philippines.
Please take note that Sen. Miriam Santiago is very aggressive in condemning De la Paz’s wrongdoing. If the Evil Bitch or Mike Pidal is involved, do you think Miriam would pursue the investigation? In fact, Miriam could have received the order from Malacanang to begin the Senate investigation where she’s the Committee Chairperson. Furthermore, this new controversy would divert people’s attention and hide the other more serious crimes such as the ZTE deal, Northrail, Fertilizer, C-5 Road Extension, Reproductive Health Bill, Impeachment.
SCRIPTED.
He could not even understand what he was reading; he had to check the text lines twice!
If dela paz were from the opposition, GMA’s henchmen with mike “tol” defensor in the lead will be attacking dela paz like rabid dogs with all guns blazing. Talagang RIP na niyan si dela paz. Since sa kanila pa rin si dela paz, ipinaubaya na nila ermita sa PNP. Mas madali ang cover-up sa PNP. Pare-pareho naman sila. The DILG with puno, kun saan sakop nito ang PNP will just play along in the cover-up. Lahat sila magkaka-pera sa isyung ito. Where there’s a cover-up, there is a lot of money to be made. Mag-dra-dramahan lang ang mga iyan.
Just have this thought. Should we expect something productive from this planned Senate investigation? Or pa-pogi lang since the Euro-generals are on the spotlight these days and our honorable senators might as we’ll share the limelight.
I mean, if they again are doing this in aid of grandstanding este legislation then it would simply be a futile exercise, a waste of time and taxpayers’ money.
Mukhang si Puno ang gumawa ng welcome speech ni dela Paz. Hawig na hawig.
Sa lahat na pinagsasabi ni dela Paz isa lang ang pinapaniwalaan ko. Yon yong sabi niya na iba daw yong kaso ni Kurap Garcia. Tama siya … Dolyar yong kinana ni Garcia at Euro yong sa kanya.
Sana ay mapatunayan na nagkasala at makulong ang mga katulad ng mga General na ito para hindi tularan ng iba. O baka naman kalimutan na lang lahat at gawin pang adviser ni Gloria kung pano magdala ng pera palabas ng Bansa.
Is de la Paz taking all the Cudgels for the Police Generals past and Present? If I were Him might as well tell the Public how the inner circles web of Money Making works and who are benefiting from all the people sufferings.
And when the time comes (Thailand is a Good Precedent) I hope and Wish the courts will find their collective balls and do what the Thailander high court did, convicted Thaksin, even in absentia for Corruption. Anyone brave enough come forward to take Full Responsibility..you were hooked fair and square Mr. de la Paz, no cry baby this time…
Mukhang si Puno ang gumawa ng welcome speech ni dela Paz. Hawig na hawig doon sa mga pinagsasabi niya nong una.
After reading Puno’s script, De la Paz was told to report to the Ombudsman & siRaulo for proper coaching prior to his appearance to the senate committee headed by Brenda.
These people really are living in a different world.
A world of Lunatics.
enjoy na naman ang pinoy sa kwentuhan! puro kwento na lang alang action. sabagay ala ng action ngayon puro drama na lang. hoy pinoy gising na! puro na lang kayo tulog sa pansitan! mayayaman na ang mga ganid at swapang at lalo pang yumayaman dahil pinayayaman at binubusog ninyo sa kawalanghiyaan!
I think I would have to agree with jackryan. All talks no action. But tell us, what kind of action do you think Filipinos should do? I’ve been asking this question for the last eight years.
Brenda’s eagerness to go after the Euro-Generals is not surprising. PNP is under Puno’s jurisdiction and she knows that any anomaly involving the PNP officials will go straight to the door steps of Puno. She hated him and the hatred can be traced back during the Erap administration. As for the cause, Iam not sure really but it’s like something about hand-cuffs ordered and imported by the PNP which incidentally under the directorship of Ping Lacson and DILG under Puno. It’s all about getting back at the enemy.
Ingrained na talaga sa customs na hindi palampasin ang arriving tongs. Sa departure, walang paki, walang tong pa. I have not come across if the money taken out was in dollars so that they will have to go to a changer at the blackmarket, otherwise the embassy distributed cash to couriers to bring home upon orders. Was the missus checked by the customs when she arrived earlier?
florry,
It’s Ronnie Puno and Roque Bello’s Sulo Hotel cheating operations versus Miriam in the 1992 elections. This is an opportunity for Miriam to settle an old score and Miriam is deadly when she’s angry.
Between Puno and Lacson, it’s the Motorola transcievers. Motorola even folded shop and sold all its business here to ON semiconductors after Puno canceled the handheld radio orders.
He thought he had diplomatic immunity so there’s no sense declaring the money. His lapse was not using a diplomatic passport.
Tongue, thanks for filling in the missing piece.
Anong aksyon ang dapat gawin para mapaalis si Arroyo? Wala atang makasagot? ang obserbasyon ko lang, kasi ang mas maraming pinoys hindi masyadong interested sa politics, mas interesting sa kanila ang mga gossips tungkol sa artista, at mas active sila duon. Tingnan ninyo, napaalis ng mga bloggers ng PEP si Fermin sa ABS CBN.
Kung marami sanang tao (na parang tsunami)ang tutuligsa sa mga ganid na politicos, kahit na sa mga blogs, ay ma pre pressure ang mga ito.
martina,
Ang mga influential na bloggers dapat impluwensiyahan yung mga showbiz personalities na malakas humatak ng masa. Kung si Willie Revillame at Joey De Leon araw-araw binabanatan ang Malacañang kesa silang dalawa ang magpatutsadahan, isipin mo ang maabot ng mensahe sa lahat ng antas ng lipunan.
Ang problema, nauna na ang Malacañang. Kinuha si Willie bilang spokesman o image model at kung anong titulo ang ibinigay ng palasyo. Samantalang si Joey ay kakabit ng kumpareng Tito Sotto saan man ito pumalaot. Bukod pa sa ang asawa ni Joey ay isang Macapagal.
Wala tayo ditong mga Brad Pitt, Angelina Jolie, Oprah Winfrey na may kanya-kanyang advocacy na ippinaglalaban. Yung mga artistang kumakampi sa kalaban ni Gloria, iniipit ng BIR. Nung naglabas ng infomercial ang Meralco gamit si Judy Ann Santos, ang kawawang artistaang naipit sa kanyang kaso sa tax. Handa namang magbayad yung tao kaya lang ibinibitin pa para mas mahaba ang hawak sa kanya.
Sino ngayon ang tatayo para kumilos ang masa gamit ang kasikatan sa showbiz?
Si Sharon Cuneta, na ang asawa ay kasabwat ni Gloria sa pagtatakip ng pandaraya?
Si Kris Aquino, na nung panahong nagpapakamatay ang nanay niya sa kaka-rally ay abalang ibinubulgar na binigyan siya ng gonorrhea ni Joey Marquez?
Si Richard Gomez, na biglang nanahimik nung simulang silipin yung mga kaso nia sa taxes?
May isang naglakas ng loob, si FPJ, pero bigla na lang namatay.
Ang tanong pa rin: Sino ang may hawak ng puso ng masa na kayang gisingin ang ngitngit na itinatago sa likod ng tawanan at drama na tinatangkilik ng mas nakakaraming Pilipino?
Wala na bang iba kundi si Erap lang?
Hoy Delapaz ! Sabihin mo nabuking kalang pero kung nakalusot iyang perang dala mo diretso sa acct. Mo yan ,Mas maniniwala ako sayo kung iyan ay ibinigay sayo bilang Kumisyon o regalo , pero sasabihin mong contingency Fund niyo o sige tanong ko sayo bakit sa Euro at hindi sa russian money. Kaya na nga ba sabi ko lahat ng PNP general magnanakaw lahat na kasi kung may natitira pang matino dapat sa nangyari ngayon umaalma na ang mga matitino.
jackryan:
There are lots of things we can do, to wit:
1. stop looking up to politicians for solutions;
2. don’t expect actors as an alternative for politicians, they’re both entertainers;
3. download a copy of Daniel Dingel’s watercar patent here, and convince him to upload a complete version of that patent, so we can run our industry by water. We can compensate him with US1.00 for every filipino alive today.
Giving cheap source of energy to the people will empower them economically, and politically.
That’s the kind of Revolution that I’ve been shouting eversince. That’s the kind of revolution that we can all participate.
“De la Paz says sorry for “lapse””
Yeah, yeah….we heard it already from the original one.
The Pidal couple will be fed dela Paz to the dogs. Yan ang tiyak na future nang mga taong hindi na pakikinabangan ng mga Pidal. Mga gago kasi kayo, hindi na kayo natuto!
small fish lang naman si delapaz, puede ng hiyawan ng “burat mo”, pero duon sa original one dapat na hiyaw diyan “barilin”.
hahaha!!! “burat mo” lang si dela Paz!
Norpil, talaga. “barilin” ang original one at i-“bury down the road” of the Macapagal highway.
New PNP Chief Verzosa should be an upright man with moral values. He belongs to a group that upholds such obligations.
Malas lang ni de la Paz at kinumpitensiya niya si evil bitch at si sabit swingson sa jueteng money! Siempre tuturuan ni Miriam, isa sa mga attack dogs ni evil bitch, ng leksion si de le paz. Magkano naman kaya ang cut ni Puno dito?
Small fry lang si de la Paz kumpara kina Nani Perez, Abalaos, sabit swingson at ang mga “mandurugas gang” ni evil bitch. Baka kulang ang space ni Ellen sa blog niya kung papangalanan natin ang mga ito! For every scam the evil bitch has, iba ibang mga tao ang ginagamit niya. She has mastered the art of “salting”, laundering, stealing, manipulating, corrupting etc. Kaya nga naman lahat ng alipores niya ay gumagawa rin. Yung hindi masyadong sanay na katulad ni de la Paz ay nahuhuli.
But just like Garcia, de la Paz will be bailed out by those who are in the “mud” like him. Gagawa at gagawa ang mga pulis ng paraan para pagtakpan nila ang kasalanan ni de la Paz. Kung yung ngang baril eh nai-plant nila sa gustong i-frame up, ito pa kayang maliit na perang ito? Kulangot lang ito kung ikumpara sa NBN, North Rail atbp.