DOF to charge local customs officer

ISABEL LEYTE - The Department of Finance is seeking the dismissal of one of its Bureau of Customs officials in Isabel, Leyte for allegedly amassing wealth beyond his earning capacity.

According to a complaint filed by Department of Finance Revenue Integrity Protection Service (RIPS) with the Office of the Ombudsman, Sevellino Tomol, collector of the sub-port in Isabel, Leyte had accumulated wealth beyond his earning capacity and that he had falsified his Statement of Assets, Liabilities, and Net worth (SALN).

They claimed that Tomol’s SALN for the years 2000 to 2010 revealed that he owned a house and lot in Tacloban, a rice field, coconut plantations and an agricultural lot in Silago, Southern Leyte and properties in San Carlos City, Pangasinan.

Besides these personal assets he also owned a sedan, Kia Pregio van, Nissan Urvan Estate and a Toyota Hi-Ace Commuter AUV. Documents gathered by RIPS showed that in October 2007, Tomol, through a promissory note with chattel mortgage executed in favor of BPI Family Bank, bought a Nissan Urvan Estate for 1.370 million pesos, and had paid 411,000 pesos as down payment for the vehicle, while the balance would be paid in installments over 36 months.

The RIPS alleged that Tomol had also purchased in 2008 a Toyota Hi-Ace Commuter worth P1.160 million which he paid for in cash. “Considering that respondent had received only a monthly salary of P20,871.00 in 2007, and a monthly salary of P23,532.00 in 2008, it was inconceivable for Tomol to afford the two mentioned vehicles. Such expense is definitely beyond the salary of a government employee,” RIPS added in its complaint.

Tomol’s SALNs also showed that he had incurred loans amounting to P105,496 in 2000 which he steadily increased to P1.086 million in 2010.

Yet, despite such acquisitions and monetary obligations, RIPS said that Tomol’s Service Record confirmed his current gross salary as Collector I was only at P439,656 a year. His SALN as of 2010 showed that his total net worth grew to P3.754 million.

The lifestyle check against the respondent likewise revealed that he also owned a 216-square meter residential building in Tacloban City which he bought in 1993.

“This property was not reflected in any of Tomol’s 2000 to 2010 SALNs,” the RIPS said.

The probe against the respondent also showed that Tomol’s family was engaged in a transportation enterprise, three of which were based in Tacloban City, while in his SALNs Tomol claimed he had no business ventures during that period.

RIPS has requested Tomol’s suspension without pay pending resolution of the administrative and criminal cases against him pursuant to Section 24, Republic Act 6770, or the Ombudsman Act of 1989.

If found guilty Tomol could be dismissed from the service for good, while his properties would be forfeited by the government in accordance with Republic Act 1379, also known as the Forfeiture Law. (By: ANGELYN BOOK)

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