THE Sandiganbayan has issued an arrest warrant against dismissed Philippine National Police (PNP) chief Alan Purisima as he faces a graft charge for an anomalous courier deal in 2011.
In a resolution dated May 18, the anti-graft court Sixth Division said it found probable cause to try Purisima for graft and thus issued the arrest warrant.
“After judicious scrutiny and evaluation of the information and resolution of the prosecutor, the evidence in support thereof and the records of the preliminary investigation attached thereto, the Court finds that sufficient grounds exist for the finding of a probable cause and for the issuance of a warrant of arrest against all the accused,” the court said.
The court thus rendered moot and academic Purisima’s motion to quash his graft charge and defer the arrest warrant.
Purisima–a friend of President Benigno Aquino III–and 16 others were charged with one count of graft for acting allegedly with manifest partiality, evident bad faith and gross inexcusable negligence when they awarded the courier contract to the firm Werfast Documentary Agency, Inc.
The prosecution said Purisima violated Section 3(e) of the Anti-Graft and Corrupt Practices Act when he gave unwarranted benefit to Werfast.
Purisima entered into a memorandum of agreement with Werfast and accredited the firm as the PNP’s courier service provider for all the firearms license applications despite its failure to comply with government regulations on courier services.
Purisima and the respondents also approved the delivery by courier of firearms license as a mandatory policy in the PNP.
The prosecution said Werfast failed to seek prior registration with the Securities and Exchange Commission, and failed to get authority from the Department of Transportation and Communications to operate a delivery service as well as an accreditation from the Department of Science and Technology.
Also ordered arrested are the following accused: retired Police Director Gil Meneses and dismissed Firearms and Explosives Office officials Chief Supt. Napoleon Estilles, Senior Supt. Allan Parreño, Senior Supt. Melchor Reyes and Senior Insp. Ford Tuazon.