BIR exec dismissed for ‘hiding’ bank assets

CEBU CITY — For allegedly concealing personal bank deposits amounting to some P5.8 million, a top Bureau of Internal Revenue (BIR) executive in Central Visayas was ordered dismissed from the service.

The Office of the Ombudsman, in a May 30 memorandum, dismissed and permanently barred Nieto Racho, chief of the BIR’s special investigation division in the region, from holding public office.

Ombudsman director Virginia Santiago said Racho was guilty of falsification and dishonesty when he failed to declare a total of P5.8 million deposited in three separate banks in his statement of assets and liabilities.

Under the Anti-Graft and Corrupt Practices Act, the non-declaration of the exact amount is tantamount to an affront of public trust for "miserably" failing to be accountable to people when public officers are expected to "serve with utmost responsibility, integrity, efficiency and loyalty."

Santiago reversed an earlier ruling by graft investigation officer Pio Dargantes, who recommended the dismissal of the case against Racho because the supporting documents were mere photocopies.

The Ombudsman initiated the probe after the Balita Action Team of radio station dyHP submitted to the anti-graft office bank certifications of Racho’s deposits.

The documents showed that Racho had P2,982,896.27 in deposits at the Metropolitan Bank and Trust Co. in Tabunok, P1,228,702.53 at the Philippine Commercial International Bank, and P1,632,282.59 at the Bank of the Philippine Islands.

A scrutiny of Racho’s statements of assets, liabilities and net worth from 1995 to 2000 showed that the bank deposits were reportedly never reflected.

Racho said he was denied due process. But the Ombudsman said it was Racho himself who invoked his right to remain silent. — Freeman News Service