News Update DOF unit accuses Cagayan de Oro Customs official of having ill-gotten wealth

The Department of Finance anti-corruption unit has filed a complaint against a Bureau of Customs official assigned in Cagayan de Oro City. The Customs official, identified by the DOF Revenue Integrity Protection Service (RIPS) as Customs operations officer IV Eduardo Wong, failed a lifestyle check, RIPS said in a 19-page complaint before the Office of the Ombudsman. Wong was also the acting chief of the Customs Office Assessment Division in Cagayan de Oro City, according to RIPS. He was charged with violating Republic Act (RA) 3019 or the Anti-Graft and Corrupt Practices Act, as well as RA 6713 or the Code of Conduct and Ethical Standards of Public Officials and Employees, and the Revised Penal Code for allegedly “accumulating wealth disproportionate to his income.” RIPS accused the Customs official of committing serious dishonesty and grave misconduct for “false, deceptive and incomplete” statements in his Statement of Assets, Liabilities and Net Worth (SALN). RIPS asked the Office of the Ombudsman to dismiss Wong from service. RIPS data given to the Office of the Ombudsman showed Wong’s net worth rose from P2.98 million to P6.69 million in the nine years to 2009. “The increase in Wong’s net worth was due to his acquisition of several properties in Cagayan de Oro, Misamis Oriental and Camiguin as well as other assets like cars,” according to RIPS. Those properties were “grossly disproportionate” to Wong’s yearly income of P334,236.00, RIPS noted. “From the foregoing analysis, respondent Wong’s net worth magnified up to 125 percent in a span of 10 years or the cumulative amount of P3.7 million,” the complaint added. RIPS started filing cases against revenue officials and employees suspected of corrupt practices. — VS