Ombudsman dismisses BOC-Misamis collector

MANILA, Philippines - The Office of the Ombudsman has ordered the dismissal from the service of a Bureau of Customs (BOC) collector assigned at the Mindanao International Container Terminal-Phividec in Tagoloan, Misamis Oriental for alleged unexplained wealth.

Among other offenses, BOC Collector IV Lowell Lomuljo Medija was found to have failed to disclose a residential lot he acquired in Davao City in 1998 in his statement of assets, liabilities and net worth (SALN).

In a nine-page order approved by Deputy Ombudsman for Luzon Gerard Mosquera dated Feb. 12, the anti-graft agency found Medija guilty of gross neglect of duty and serious dishonesty and dismissed him from the service, with the accessory penalties of cancellation of eligibility, forfeiture of retirement benefits, and perpetual disqualification for re-employment in government service.

The case stemmed from a complaint filed by Revenue Integrity Protection Service of the Department of Finance intelligence officer Oscar Moratin and intelligence agent Crispin Velarde after Medija flunked a lifestyle check and was found to have amassed unexplained wealth and properties despite his annual gross income of P511,668.

According to the complaint, Medija’s son Brian Dexter owns another lot yet he had no financial means to purchase it. His wife Evelyn also owns another residential lot under her name and was not declared.

Medija was also found to own a piggery, a 5.5-hectare agricultural land with pomelo, banana and mango trees, six poultry buildings, and another residential lot in Toril Eden Mountain Haven Subdivision in Davao.

“By law, these unexplainable acquisitions of wealth are deemed unlawfully acquired. Thus, for having increased his net worth by sourcing the funds… from illegitimate means, respondent is adjudged guilty of dishonesty,” the Ombudsman said.