Accepting gifts out of generosity doesn’t mean cops are doing illegal acts: PNP

August 13, 2019

The head of the Philippine National Police ( PNP) on Tuesday said he is sure that President Rodrigo Duterte is not encouraging them to commit illegal activities when he allowed them to accept gifts out of generosity and earn extra income through “video karera”.

In an interview with reporters at Camp Bagong Diwa in Taguig City, Police General Oscar Albayalde said Duterte is leading the fight against illegal drugs, crime and corruption.

“I’m sure the president will not entice or encourage corruption. In fact, the president mentioned three things: anti-illegal drugs, crime and corruption. So I’m sure he will not encourage corruption in any government agencies,” he said.

“Our president led the fight against anti-corruption so there is no reason for him to entice us or encourage us to practice illegal corruption,” he added.

Albayalde reiterated that the PNP submits to the better wisdom of Duterte  that it is harmless to receive gifts as long as there is no element of corruption involved, no abuse of authority is committed and gifts are not given as prizes.

“The PNP receives only gifts given as donations, properly issued with receipts and documents. The PNP remains to be bound by rules that govern our conduct under any given situation including existing laws against graft and corrupt practices; and the code of conduct of ethical standards for public officials,” he said.

He said what Duterte means by calling out on the anti-corruption law is that there is no exact price mentioned on whether you can call a gift bribery or not.

Albayalde said this depends on the discretion and integrity of the person receiving the gifts.

“It’s not mentioned in the law how much will be considered as form of bribery or it’s a form of corruption. There is no amount given, but there is that clause that it says insignificant value. But the thing is it is not defined what is insignificant value. So this depends solely on the discretion and the sound judgement of the person,” he said.

“It always depends on the person’s discretion… maybe the person will define the exemption for his own personal advantage, that’s not allowed. That’s how a person’s character and integrity will show,” he said.

For example, Albayalde said if food is '' always delivered to you everyday then the person is asking something in return, like position or promotion or even if he is selling a product that can assure him of winning the bidding awards committee then that’s a form of corruption. That is not allowed.

Albayalde said it can also be called corruption if the gifts were delivered and then the person who gave it is asking for something.

He admitted eating expensive food such as “lechon baboy (roasted pig)” but revealed that it’s his wife who buys expensive things for him.

Albayalde warned police officers they will face charges if they will accept gifts which are in a form of bribery or the person who gave it is asking something  in return.

“In our own effort, we abolished the Counter-Intelligence Task Force (CITF) and changed it to Integrity Monitoring and Enforcement Group (IMEG) which is a national operating support unit to go after corrupt personnel in our ranks. Extortion is one, that’s a form of corruption,” he said.

He added the creation of IMEG is in support to Duterte’s campaign against anti-corruption.

In the issue of playing video karera, Albayalde said they are always guided by the law.

“We cannot engage in illegal activities... You will be charged and you will be dismissed from the service. We will follow what the law says,” he said.

He said Duterte just wants a good life for them so they will not engage in anything illegal.

Albayalde added that the greatest gift police received from Duterte is the salary increase

“The greatest gift of the president is of course our salary increase and the reward he is saying. That is what is important with our president. Once he said ( something) he will not forget it. If he said he will give it, he will give it and he really gave it to us,” he said.

The PNP chief reiterated to the public there is no need to give gifts or token of gratitude for services rendered because they are doing their job.

“We are reasonably compensated for our services through our salaries. The PNP morale and welfare policy offers appropriate recognition and acknowledgement of our services,” he added. Ella Dionisio/DMS