DOF files charges vs Customs official

MANILA, Philippines - The Department of Finance (DOF) has filed charges against an official of the Bureau of Customs (BOC) for allegedly amassing wealth disproportionate to her income and for failing to declare various acquisitions in her Statements of Assets, Liabilities and Net Worth.

The Finance department’s Revenue Integrity Protection Service (RIPS), the agency’s anti-corruption unit, filed before the Office of the Ombudsman last Tuesday a 17-page complaint against Customs operations officer Edita Yambao.

In its complaint, RIPS asked the Ombudsman to issue a forfeiture order against Yambao’s “unlawfully accumulated” wealth and suspend her while the case is still pending.

“As per investigation conducted by RIPS, compelling evidence on record shows that during her tenure with Customs, respondent’s net worth grew at a rapid and astronomical rate… which far outpaced her legitimate earnings and disposable income,” RIPS said in its complaint.

According to RIPS, the evidence that it gathered showed that three land properties and an apartment with a combined amount of around P3 million.

Yambao allegedly acquired the properties in 2004 and 2008.

RIPS also listed pieces of jewelry worth P210,000, a vehicle worth P950,000; appliances worth P120,000; and cash of P480,000, all acquired from 2004 to 2009.

“Her (Yambao) net worth increased tremendously in 2007 to 2009 by P2.760 million despite having a “modest” annual income of P276,876.00,” RIPS said.

Furthermore, RIPS also said that Yambao failed to file her SALN from year 2000 to 2003.

RIPS was established in 2003 “to investigate… allegations of corrupt practices of officials and employees of the [Finance department]… and all other agencies under [its] jurisdiction… and file appropriate cases, [if necessary].”

As of July, the Finance department unit has already filed a total of 86 cases against 126 public officials. Of these, 51 have been suspended and 19 have been dismissed from government service.