PNP chief Purisima should be circumspect in his actions – Palace

After days of defending Philippine National Police (PNP) chief Director General Alan Purisima, Malacañang on Thursday said the head of the police force is expected to be circumspect in his actions.

Communications Secretary Herminio Coloma Jr. said at a press briefing that Purisima "is accountable for all his actions under existing laws."

"Lahat naman po ng lingkod-bayan kinakailangang timbangin nila kung ‘yung kilos nila ay naaayon sa batas o hindi; gamitin ‘yung kanilang pinakamainam na pagpapasya," Coloma told reporters.
 
The Palace official added that Purisima should be mindful of how his actions will be measured "before the bar of public opinion."

"Lahat po ng nanunumpa sa republika na maglilingkod kay Juan dela Cruz, kinakailangang kilalanin ‘yung responsibilidad na susundin ang mga umiiral na batas sa lahat ng kanilang ginagawang pagkilos," Coloma said.

Purisima still has PNoy's trust

The communications secretary nevertheless maintained that the PNP chief still has President Benigno Aquino III's trust.

Palace officials, including Coloma, have been defending Purisima over the past days, supporting the PNP chief's decision not to resign and describing his testimony at the Senate as truthful.

Aquino himself had also earlier vouched for Purisima's good character, saying the PNP chief is not greedy and does not live a lavish lifestyle.

Purisima is facing plunder and graft complaints before the Office of the Ombudsman in connection with his supposed mansion in Nueva Ecija and alleged anomalies in the renovation of the PNP chief's official quarters in Camp Crame.

During a Senate inquiry on Tuesday, Purisima admitted that the PNP received as a donation the P11-million renovation of the PNP chief's quarters, the so-called White House, inside Camp Crame.

He also tried to explain his ownership of a multimillion-peso sports utility vehicle by saying he bought it only for P1.5 million.  Purisima said he got a big discount from a dealer when he bought the Land Cruiser.

The Code of Conduct and Ethical Standards for Public Officials and Employees prohibits government employees from accepting or soliciting, directly or indirectly, "any gift, gratuity, favor, entertainment, loan or anything of monetary value from any person in the course of their official duties." — JDS, GMA News