Porsche-driving Customs clerk 'guilty' of dishonesty

MANILA, Philippines — The Office of the Ombudsman has found a former Customs messenger guilty of serious dishonesty for omitting his so-called car "businesses" from his government records.

Paulino Elevado IV, who resigned from service, was similarly indicted for multiple violations of the ethical codes for public officials and employees.

Without having earlier resigned, Elevado would have been dismissed from his post for the offenses.

"It was only in 2008 or sixteen years after assuming office that respondent acknowledged  he was engaged in 'Buy and Sell of Cars and General Merchandise, Various Small Businesses' without identifying these businesses with sufficient particularity," Ombudsman Conchita Carpio Morales' office said in a state news report.

Elevado was penalized P20,000.00 and forfeiture of all his retirement benefits. He was also banned from reemployment in state bureaus, including government-owned or controlled corporations.

Elevado drove a Porsche sports car, which he could not have afforded only with his P6,114.00 salary in the Bureau of Customs.

The case stemmed from the Department of Finance Revenue Integrity Protection Service's (DOF-RIPS) complaint against Elevedo for concealing such companies from his Statement of Assets, Liabilities and Net Worth from 1992 to 1998.

"We consider the Ombudsman’s resolution on Elevado's case and his indictment as a victory for good governance," DOF Undersecretary Carlo Carag said.

"It sends a signal to customs personnel that the President’s Customs Reform Team is serious in cleansing the Bureau of corrupt officials," Carag added.

Elevado also figured in a shooting incident in January 2012 along the South Luzon Expressway at the Resorts World Complex.

Elevado, on board a white Porsche, had a traffic altercation with Christopher Verceles whom he punched in the face near the Magallanes Flyover in Makati City. The brawl led to a high-speed car chase and shooting incident that ended in front of the Resorts World Hotel.

"Plainly, respondent’s ruthless demeanor … betrays his propensity to be a self-aggrandizing person who suffers from lack of consideration for other people, which should not at all be countenanced," RIPS said in its complaint submitted in February 2012.

The Ombudsman also found Elevedo guilty of conduct prejudicial to the "image and integrity of his office."