DOF files complaint vs BOC collector

MANILA, Philippines - The Department of Finance’s anti-corruption unit has filed a complaint against a collector of the Bureau of Customs (BOC), marking the first complaint filed this year.

The Revenue Integrity Protection Service (RIPS) filed before the Office of the Ombudsman a complaint last Jan. 12 against Sevellino Tomo, Customs collector I in the sub-port of Isabel, Leyte.

According to the complaint, Tomol accumulated wealth, which was not proportionate to his salary as a public servant.

RIPS also alleged that he had misdeclared the actual values of his assets, and “provided false and deceptive information regarding his properties and business interests in his sworn Statement of Assets, Liabilities and Net worth (SALN).”

According to the findings of the Finance department’s anti-corruption office, Tomol’s SALNs from 2000 to 2010 showed various properties accumulated during the period.

These properties include a house and lot in Tacloban; a ricefield and agricultural lot in Silago, Southern Leyte; and a residential land and another rural land in San Carlos City, Pangasinan.

He also purchased during the 10-year period various motor vehicles such as a sedan, Kia Pregio van, Nissan Urvan Estate, and Toyota Hi-Ace Commuter AUV, documents gathered by RIPS also showed.

Furthermore, RIPS said that in October 2007, Tomol, through a promissory note with chattel mortgage executed in favor of BPI Family Bank, bought the Nissan Urvan Estate for P1.3 million with a down payment of roughly P400,000.

The outstanding balance of P35,000 a month were paid for 36 months.

On the other hand, RIPS alleged that Tomol purchased in August 2008 the Toyota Hi-Ace Commuter AUV for P1.16 million.

“Considering that respondent was only receiving a monthly salary of P20,871 in 2007, and a monthly salary of P23,532 in 2008, it is inconceivable for respondent to be able afford the acquisition of the two vehicles. Such amount of expenses is definitely disproportionate to his lawful salary as a government employee,” RIPS said in its complaint.

Tomol’s 2010 SALN also showed that his net worth grew to P3.7 million.

Tomol may be placed under preventive suspension, RIPS said pending investigation of his case.

He may be dismissed from service if found guilty.