BIR couple flunk lifestyle check

A couple working at the Bureau of Internal Revenue (BIR) was charged with graft by the Department of Finance (DOF) before the Office of the Ombudsman for failing a lifestyle check.

In its 17-page complaint, the DOF-Revenue Integrity Protection Service (RIPS) said Marlon Pascual and his wife Emma had failed the lifestyle check and had amassed unexplained wealth grossly disproportionate to their combined income.

The DOF-RIPS said the Pascual couple failed to declare in their joint statements of assets and liabilities and net worth (SALN) from 1994 to 2002 a mansion worth P1.5 million in San Pablo City in Laguna, a subdivision lot also in San Pablo, a house and lot in Baguio City, a Ford Explorer sports utility van and a Honda CRV sports utility vehicle.

On top of the luxury vehicles, the Pascual couple had acquired a Mitsubishi L300 van, a Hyundai Starex van and a 2003 model Mitsubishi car.

Based on records, the Pascual couple earn a combined annual income of only P288,780 as Revenue Officer 1 and Revenue Officer 2, respectively.

In addition to the expensive real estate properties and fleet of luxury vehicles, the couple also made numerous trips to Hong Kong, Shanghai in China and Bangkok, Thailand between 2001 and 2006.

Their three daughters, Blessilda, Denise Anne and Mary Grace, also made trips to Singapore and Thailand from 2002 to 2005, the DOF said.

The DOF said the Mitsubishi car was registered under the name of Denise Anne who has no gainful employment or business to justify her ownership of the vehicle.

The DOF added the Starex van, which was purchased in 2000, was registered to Blessilda, who at that time was still financially dependent on her parents.

On the other hand, the Honda CRV and a Ford Expedition van valued at P2 million were not declared by the Pascuals in their SALN.

"These accumulations and manifestations of wealth do not even include family expenditures and tuition... of respondent daughters, which, judging by respondents’ standard of living, could not be less than substantial," the DOF said in its complaint.

Aside from graft, the Pascuals were also charged with violation of Republic Act 6713 or the Code of Conduct and Ethical Standards for Public Officials and Employees and perjury. - With Francis Santiago