MANILA, Philippine— Senate President Vicente “Tito” Sotto III believes that the credibility of Philippine National Police Police (PNP) chief Gen. Oscar Albayalde remained intact despite allegations being raised against him.

Sotto noted that the accusations against Albayalde happened when he was not yet the PNP chief.

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Baguio City Mayor Benjamin Magalong, former head of the PNP’s Criminal Investigation and Detection Group (CIDG), accused Albayalde of allegedly intervening on the dismissal order against 13 Pampanga policemen involved in a questionable buy-bust operation.

The policemen were charged and ordered dismissed in relation to an anti-drug operation they conducted in Pampanga in 2013. Albayalde was the provincial police director at the time.

During Tuesday’s hearing in the Senate, Magalong also alleged that Albayalde bought a sports utility vehicle after the raid. The PNP chief vehemently denied the allegation.

READ: Albayalde dares Magalong: Show proof, photo that I bought SUV in 2013

But all these allegedly happened in the past, Sotto noted.

“As the present chief PNP, I don’t think his credibility is affected. Ibang usapan yung nakaraan. Hindi natin masabi kung may value or what,” he told reporters on Wednesday.

(As the present chief PNP, I don’t think his credibility is affected. What happened in the past is a different story. We can’t say if it has value or what.)

“But if we’re talking about the present situation, wala akong nakikitang masama [I don’t see anything wrong],” the Senate leader added.

Sotto also saw no need for Albayalde to take a leave while the drug charges against his men in Pampanga were being reviewed.

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At the same time, the Senate leader defended Magalong from those who questioned him for reviving an old issue against the PNP chief.

Sotto explained that Magalong was invited as a resource person in the Senate’s inquiry on the alleged anomalies in the New Bilibid Prison (NBP).

And when the alleged recycling of seized illegal drugs was mentioned in the hearing, the former PDEA chief cited the Pampanga buy-bust case as an example.

In fact, he said, Magalong was hesitant to mention names in an open public hearing, which prompted the committee to hold an executive session on September 19.

“In other words, hindi totoo yung sinasabi na bigla raw after six years nilabas daw lahat yan [It’s not true that all of these were suddenly brought up after six years.] Hindi [No], it was unearthed by the committee because of the connection to the recycling in the NBP,” Sotto said.

“I don’t think it’s right to blame Mayor Magalong,” he added. /jpv

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