Ombudsman Simeon Marcelo said there is enough basis for filing the graft charges against Ponce on allegations of illegally acquired wealth.
Ponce has since been named officer-in-charge of the Philippine Export Proceesing Zone branch in Cagayan.
Marcelo said investigators discovered Ponce concealed the true extent of his assets in his annual statement of assets and liabilities (SAL).
"This constituted sufficient basis for the Ombudsman to place Ponce under preventive suspension pending investigation considering that the evidence of guilt is strong," Ombudsman public assistance bureau director Marlyn Galvez said.
The Ombudsman said there had been "dramatic increases" in Ponce’s net worth, particularly covering the years 1996, 1998, 1999, 2001 and 2003.
The DLR official was unable to explain the increase in his wealth, the Ombudsman said.
Despite his wife’s business interests in five companies — Cagayan Satellite Program Network Inc., Inplan consultants, Jeanboys Toyshop, Pyher barbershop and an unnamed video shop — Ponce still could not account for all of his assets.
"Likewise, it was alleged that his net worth for the years 1996, 1998, 1999, 2001 and 2003 far outpaced his declared income as a public officer, and by the data showing his wife’s businesses, one of which started only in July 2000 with a P75,000 capitalization," Galvez said.
Another significant detail that Ponce allegedly concealed in his 2001 SAL was his acquisition of a residential house and lot worth P7.1 million in Ferndale Homes, Pasong Tamo in Quezon City.
Apart from administrative offenses like "dishonesty and grave misconduct," which carries a maximum penalty of dismissal from government service, Ponce can also be held criminally liable for perjury, the Ombudsman said.
This was because Ponce did not include the purchase of the Ferndale house and lot in his 2001 SAL.
The Ombudsman said the purchase of the Ferndale property itself is "questionable," making the evidence against Ponce quite "strong."
"Meanwhile, a preliminary investigation on the complaint shall proceed to determine his probable administrative and criminal liability," the Ombudsman stated.
The suspension aims at preventing the public official from tampering with records and harassing potential witnesses.