Senate to probe ‘break-in’ at Robredo’s condo

Tuesday, September 11, 2012
MANILA — The Senate has summoned Local Government Undersecretary Rico Puno to a hearing to shed light on reports that he tried to obtain confidential files from the condominium of his boss, the late Jesse Robredo, a day after the plane crash in Masbate.
The hearing will take place at 10:30 a.m. of Friday, September 14, said Senator Miriam Defensor-Santiago, chair of the committee on constitutional amendments and revision of laws.
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Also invited to participate were Executive Secretary Paquito Ochoa Jr., Environment Secretary Ramon Paje, Justice Secretary Leila de Lima, newly appointed Local Government Secretary Manuel Roxas II, Philippine National Police (PNP) Chief Director General Nicanor Bartolome, retired Dagupan Archbishop Oscar Cruz and Maria Leonor “Leni” Robredo, wife of the late secretary.
The hearing was also scheduled to tackle issues implicating Puno in the botched purchase of assault rifles for the PNP.
Puno, a shooting buddy of President Benigno Aquino III, reportedly went to Israel in May upon the invitation of one of the bidders and that the specifications were supposedly tailor-made for a certain party.
The report cited conflict of interest on Puno since he was then a member of the bids and awards committee of the project, which was already shelved by President Aquino after sensing a possible case of overpricing.
Aquino admitted over the weekend that he asked Puno to secure the documents since Robredo was investigating sensitive cases, including the arms deal, prior to his death. He said, however, that he did not order Puno to go to Robredo’s condominium.
“Why did you have to go to the house when nobody told you to go there? Your superior — the President — did not request you to go. So what was he doing there? What was so urgent that he has to go himself? What were the documents he wanted to get his hands on?” Santiago told reporters.
Leni Robredo earlier asked her maid not to allow Puno and the police from entering the condominium unit, which Santiago said only showed lack of trust for the Department of Interior and Local Government (DILG) official.
“This attitude could have stemmed from her husband’s own attitude. Otherwise, since she is not a member of the DILG, what is the basis that she did not want Puno inside the house at all?” the senator said, adding Puno is guilty of plain discourtesy for not personally seeking entry from Robredo’s wife.
Separate investigation
The House of Representatives committee on public order and safety will also hold a separate investigation on the P1.2-billion firearms deal.
The inquiry will be called before Congress goes on recess on September 22, said Cebu Representative Pablo John Garcia, chairman of the panel.
The investigation is a result of a resolution filed by Agham party-list Representative Angelo Palmones and Antipolo City Representative Romeo Acop requesting the committee chaired by Garcia to probe the questionable procurement of 59,904 units of caliber 9-millimeter pistols, which has an approved budget of P1.198 billion.
Palmones said he received information that 28,000 out of 59,904 9-mm pistols were delivered in the Manila South Harbor from the United States four days after the bidding was completed, and the notice of award was released to Trust Trade and Glock Asia Pacific Ltd. on August 31, 2012.
“I find it suspicious that the delivery was that fast. The shipping should be at least one month. It opens the possibility that even before the bidding was sealed last August 31, some of the pistols are already being delivered to the Philippines,” he said in an ambush interview.
During the recent budget hearing of the DILG, Puno said the PNP recently finished the bidding for the procurement of the pistols, the delivery of which will be completed within a year.
Hesitant
For his part, Cruz expressed hesitation over attending the Senate inquiry, which will also tackle Puno’s supposed involvement in jueteng operations.
Cruz said he has nothing new to offer to the table.
“The documents which listed the names of jueteng lords and beneficiaries are with them (senators). It’s in their possession, so there’s no need for me to appear there, strictly speaking,” he said.
Cruz and Leni Robredo have been only issued invitations and not subpoenas since they are not public officials. This means that they are not compelled to attend, said Santiago.
Paje, meanwhile, will talk about the progress of the total log ban that is being implemented along with Puno’s office.
Puno’s removal
In other developments, Cruz supported Aquino’s plan to remove Puno from the DILG.
He said the jueteng menace in the country is now “free, flourishing and open as ever” under Puno’s two-year stint as undersecretary for peace and order.
The retired prelate, however, said he is not impressed with Bartolome, who is Puno’s likely replacement.
“During his time as PNP chief, he has failed to accomplish his programs. It is good at the start but I see a lack of consistency on his part. I don’t know, maybe also because some forces are trying to stop him from pursuing them,” Cruz said.
Bartolome is being asked by Aquino to retire earlier than the mandatory schedule of March 16, 2013, so that the new PNP chief will have time to strategize the conduct of peaceful midterm elections in May.
But for Cruz, he said it would have been better if Aquino had let Roxas choose his would-be undersecretary.
“Why not let him choose who he would want to work with?” asked Cruz while recalling Malacañang’s previous statement of giving Roxas a free hand in reorganizing the department.
No special treatment
Malacañang, meantime, said Puno will not get special treatment from the President amid his alleged involvement in the multi-billion firearms deal.
Presidential spokesperson Edwin Lacierda said it would be up to Puno to answer allegations against him and the Palace will not tolerate any anomalous transactions in government.
Lacierda said Aquino was the one who ordered the late Secretary Robredo to launch an investigation on the deal upon learning that the guns were overpriced.
“The President saw the price on Google and it was only P40,000 from the original price of P80,000, that’s why he ordered an investigation,” the Palace spokesperson said.
He added the President had stopped the bidding process but he ordered further investigation on the matter.
Lacierda also said the President was the one who ordered Puno to secure the confidential documents in Robredo’s office, a day after the plane crash in Masbate that killed the late DILG secretary.
Despite his closeness with Aquino, the spokesperson said Puno is not being considered “untouchable” by Malacañang.
“He’s not untouchable. Nobody is untouchable in this administration,” he said.
He said the President has been fair in dealing with officials in his administration, citing the case of Energy Secretary Rene Almendras, another close friend of Aquino, who has been criticized amid the energy crisis in Mindanao.
Aquino said Puno still had his trust and confidence but he has announced his plans to relieve the official from his post. (Virgil Lopez/Kathrina Alvarez/Jill Beltran/HDT/Sunnex)
http://www.sunstar.com.ph/manila/local-news/2012/09/10/senate-probe-break-robredos-condo-242067
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