Ombudsman junks perjury raps vs BOC executive

MANILA, Philippines - The Office of the Ombudsman has dismissed charges of perjury and violation of Republic Act 6713 or the Code of Ethical Standards for Public Officials against an official of the Bureau of Customs (BOC) in connection with his purchase of land.

In an 18-page decision signed by Deputy Ombudsman for Luzon Mark Jalandoni last March but released only this month, the Ombudsman said the prosecution failed to show evidence that retired police general Nestorio Gualberto, now director of BOC Enforcement and Security Service, acquired properties not proportionate to his income.

The Ombudsman said Gualberto was in active service when he acquired two properties for his family in 2002 and could afford to buy the land.

Gualberto’s case arose from a criminal complaint filed by the Ombudsman’s Field Investigation Office for perjury due to his failure to declare his Statement of Assets, Liabilities and Net Worth (SALN).

He said he bought the properties for his two daughters, who inherited P100,000 from their grandparents. The two properties, covered by land title certificates 10022 and 10764, were bought at P25,000 and P20,000, respectively.

Gualberto said he has never been remiss in his obligation as a public official to file his yearly SALN since 1969 when he was a clerk at Camp Aguinaldo. He said certain groups are out to discredit him because of his intensified campaign against smuggling and their desire to replace him with their “connection.”