BoC collecting officer guilty of 23 crimes

CEBU, Philippines – The Regional Trial Court has convicted a special collecting officer of the Bureau of Customs at the Mactan Export Processing Zone in Lapu-Lapu City for falsifying documents, misappropriating government funds and gi-ving unwarranted benefits to a firm.

Judge Toribio Quiwag found Crispiniano Ligan guilty beyond reasonable doubt of 21 counts for malversation of public funds thru falsification of public/official documents, one count for malversation of public funds and one count for anti-graft and corrupt practices.

“Wherefore, premises considered, the court finds accused Crispiniano Ligan guilty beyond reasonable doubt of the 23 crimes,” read the 54-page decision.

Quiwag imposed upon Ligan penalties ranging from prision correcional to reclusion perpetua or 20 to 40 years imprisonment.

Ligan was likewise ordered to pay the government through the BoC the amount of P1,219,052.99 as civil liability.

The Office of the Ombudsman-Visayas indicted Ligan before the court after finding probable cause that he committed the offense charged.

It said that Ligan made it appear in 21 duplicate copies of official receipts that the collected amounts were smaller than those reflected on the original copies issued to clients that represent the customs duties and taxes collected from local sales of imported articles.

With that, the Ombudsman said Ligan has pocketed the difference of P197,564.

Moreover, the Ombudsman alleged that Ligan has misappropriated his collections from customs duties and taxes amounting to P980,125.

Ligan was likewise accused of giving unwarranted benefits to Philippine Izumi Corporation. It was alleged that he made an underassessment of customs duties and taxes by P29,593.

Reportedly, the alleged anomaly was discovered when the Commission on Audit conducted an examination for the period January to December 1995 on the revenue collections derived from customs duties and taxes imposed on local sales of imported goods processed and approved at MEPZ.

Ligan failed to present his defenses. Reportedly, he did not appear anymore in court after the hearing went on for the prosecution’s evidence.

With this, Quiwag found sufficient ground to hold Ligan administratively liable. —/NSA (FREEMAN)