Ombudsman okays filing of graft charges vs BIR official

MANILA, Philippines - The Office of the Ombudsman, acting upon the complaints filed in 2006 by the Department of Finance (DOF), has approved the filing of graft-related charges against a ranking official of the Bureau of Internal Revenue (BIR).

In a decision received by the DOF last May 6, Ombudsman Merceditas Gutierrez ordered the filing of seven counts of perjury against Rosalie Usison Sarthou, a former chief revenue officer of the BIR.

The Office of the Ombudsman also ordered the filing of a petition for the forfeiture of unlawfully acquired properties of Sarthou.

The DOF’s Revenue Integrity Protection Service (RIPS) earlier filed before the Office of the Ombudsman complaints against Sarthou for allegedly amassing illegal wealth grossly disproportionate to her lawful means of income as revenue officer.

The DOF unit said that Sarthou acquired various real estate properties in different parts of the country but did not declare this in her Statement of Assets, Liabilities and Networth.

It said that in Sarthou’s 36 years in service, she has acquired wealth beyond her means. DOF-RIPS said that Sarthou’s highest yearly income she received from the government is P256,000.

However, the DOF-RIPS said that Sarthou’s net worth increased by P8.9 million during her tenure at the BIR. The DOF unit also said that the former BIR official also increased its investments by roughly P3.3 million during her tenure at the agency.

RIPS is mandated to conduct lifestyle checks, investigate allegations of graft and corruption and to file criminal and administrative complaints against erring officials and employees of the Finance department, the Bureau of Internal Revenue (BIR) and the Bureau of Customs (BOC).

The DOF unit has been filing charges against erring officials of the BOC and the BIR as part of government efforts to curb corruption.

The National Government has blamed corruption and tax evasion for its low tax take. Despite efforts to address rampant corruption, the BIR and the BOC are still perceived to be the most corrupt agencies in government.