Ombudsman files raps vs BOC official

The Ombudsman filed with the Sandiganbayan yesterday graft charges against a high-ranking official of the Bureau of Customs (BOC).

Charged with estafa and violation of the Anti-Graft and Corrupt Practices Act was Bureau of Customs financial services director Jorge Monroy.

The Ombudsman found that Monroy swindled a private individual in the amount of P1.4 million by offering to sell a luxury vehicle confiscated by the Bureau of Customs that already had legitimate claimants.

The Ombudsman said Monroy even allowed the victim to have access to the bureau’s vehicle depot and take pictures of the luxury vehicle allegedly for sale, giving the false impression that everything was in order.

"The betrayal committed by Monroy of the public trust is worsened by the fact that the exchange of the more than P1 million happened in his very office and in his very presence," the Ombudsman said.

The Ombudsman also filed plunder charges against another BOC employee, special collection officer Ernesto Fajardo for failing to remit and account for the sale of accountable forms and documentary stamps in his custody in the amount of more than P53 million.

The charges were filed as part of the Ombudsman’s drive against corrupt officials in the Bureau of Customs, the Bureau of Internal Revenue and the Department of Public Works and Highways.