Friday, November 09, 2007

Ombudsman Suspends BIR Official For Unexplained Wealth

Ombudsman Ma. Merceditas N. Gutierrez last week placed under a six-month preventive suspension a ranking official of the Bureau of Internal Revenue (BIR) for acquiring wealth manifestly disproportionate to his lawful income.
In an eight-page Order, Ombudsman Gutierrez placed Marcelino Quito, Chief Revenue Officer IV, Revenue District Office (RDO) No. 70, Masbate City, under a six-month preventive suspension pending investigation of charges of Grave Misconduct and Violation of Sec. 8 in relation to Sec. 11 of RA 6713 (Code of Conduct and Ethical Standards for Public Officials and Employees).
The Dept. of Finance – Revenue Integrity Protection Service (DOF-RIPS) earlier filed a complaint before the Office of the Ombudsman against Quito for his “accumulation of wealth in the aggregate amount of P50M” which is clearly disproportionate to his legitimate income.
Based on Quito’s Statement of Assets, Liabilities and Networth (SALN), his networth increased to P7,919,060 in 2004 from only P1,121,425.95 in 1995, as compared to his income of only P96,276 in 1995 to P256,116 in 2004.
Complainant also alleged that Quito accumulated “valuable real estate holdings, comprising among others of the following parcels of land valued at no less than P25,000,000”: a 400 sq. m. residential land in Quezon City ; eight parcels of agricultural land (fishpond) and six (6) other lots in Pampanga.
Furthermore, the respondent owned other real properties and five (5) expensive vehicles registered under the names of his children: a 1998 BMW 3161 (WBW-282); a 1993 Honda Civic (TJK-244); a 1989 Toyota Corolla (PMU-103); a 1999 Suzuki (TT-3424); and a Volkswagen Beetle (NKR-646).
It was also discovered that there are four (4) other vehicles registered under the names of his other relatives but are being used by the respondent and his family: a Toyota Prado, a Mitsubishi Pajero, a Ford Escape, and a Toyota Vios.
Investigation showed that the respondent and his family have engaged in various luxurious travels abroad: “ Los Angeles , San Francisco , Bangkok , and Hong Kong , all of which, the complainant said, entail spending thousands of dollars in air fares, (hotels) and other expenses.”
In her Order, Ombudsman Gutierrez said the increase in his networth as reflected in his yearly SALNs cannot be justified by his annual gross income, considering that he has no other sources of income other than what he receives from the government.
She said, “after careful evaluation of the records of this case, this Office finds sufficient basis to place respondent Marcelino Quito under preventive suspension without pay pending the investigation of this case”.
The Ombudsman directed BIR OIC-Commissioner Lilian B. Hefti to implement the Order immediately upon receipt of the same. (By Anna Soriano Sanchez) /MP

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