BOC to verify reinstatement of Customs police chief Yuchongco

MANILA, Philippines - The Bureau of Customs (BOC) yesterday said it would verify with the Department of Finance (DOF) if Customs police chief Jose Yuchongco has been ordered reinstated by Ombudsman Merceditas Gutierrez two days before she stepped down from office.

A source from the office of BOC Commissioner Angelito Alvarez said it was only yesterday morning when their office received a photocopy of Yuchongco’s reported reinstatement.

 Since it was only a photocopy, it would have to be verified, the source said.

“We were surprised when a photocopy of Yuchongco’s reinstatement was sent to the Office of the Commissioner when in fact the proper procedure was that it should first go through the DOF since it was the complainant in the case,” the source said.

To remedy the situation, Alvarez was advised to seek clarification from the DOF, which would have to verify with the Office of the Ombudsman.

 “We are asking for the DOF confirmation just to be safe,” the source added.

 The BOC refused to give copies of the document to the media since it was only a photocopy and would first have to be authenticated.

According to the document, Gutierrez signed Yuchongco’s reinstatement last May 4.

Asked if the signing of the document poses a legal impediment, the source said it was unlikely “since Gutierrez was still the Ombudsman when the reinstatement was signed.”

The source added that he does not see the BOC not taking Yuchongco back into the agency.

“We would only comply with the lawful orders. If there is an order, we would absorb him again at the bureau.”

The BOC does not know when Yuchongco would resume working at the BOC.

In 2005, the DOF-Revenue Integrity Protection Service (RIPS) filed cases against Yuchongco before the Office of the Ombudsman for unexplained wealth.

In the complaint, the RIPS said it was impossible for a Customs official to buy the properties and have a net worth of P6.48 million in 2004.

The Ombudsman said Yuchongco’s gross annual salary in 1994 was about P54,000 and in 2004, it was P256,116.

Last Feb. 7, the Office of the Ombudsman dismissed Yuchongco on the grounds of grave misconduct and dishonesty.

He was reportedly found guilty of falsifying his Statement of Assets, Liabilities and Networth (SALN) because he allegedly failed to declare or he wrongfully declared several real estate properties and Lotto winnings.