BIR officer suspended for P31.9-M ill-gotten wealth

The chief revenue officer of the Bureau of Internal Revenue (BIR) in Balanga City was suspended yesterday for six months without pay after he failed to justify his ownership of property worth at least P31.9 million.

An investigation showed that Beltran Aquino Dy failed to declare in his statement of assets and liabilities (SAL) real estate property worth P24.7 million and eight vehicles worth P7.2 million.

In a statement, Ernesto Nocos of the office of the Ombudsman said Dy, who was charged with dishonesty and grave misconduct, also had P3 million in "active investments" in Petron Corp.

"Dy also has business interests at Kid’s Play Camp Preschool and Asiavest Credit Corp.," he said.

Nocos said Dy’s P21,833 monthly salary was insufficient to pay for his family’s expenses, which included travel costs amounting to at least P673,155.

"Dy had been with the BIR for 36 years and currently receiving an annual salary of P262,524. He and his family incurred expenses which could not be justifiably covered by his legitimate income," he said. — Delon Porcalla