DOF files charges against Customs official

MANILA, Philippines - The Department of Finance’s Revenue Integrity Protection Service (RIPs), an anti-corruption unit, has filed criminal and administrative charges against a Customs official for dishonesty and falsification of documents.

In a 17-page complaint-affidavit filed on May 5 before the Office of the Ombusdman, DOF-RIPs charged Marissa Rae Rollo Galang, Intelligence Officer and currently acting chief of the Customs’ Intelligence and Investigation Service (CIIS).

The DOF unit said Galang falsified her daily time record for the month of May 2007 to make it appear that she was reporting for work even if she was actually in the Republic of Palau.

According to the DOF unit, Galang assumed office as Budget Officer II at the BOC in 2001 with an annual salary of P185,568.00. At present, she earns an annual salary of P308,052.00 or only a gross monthly income of P25,671.00.

The DOF-RIPs unit said Galang violated the country’s existing civil service rules.

Moreover, the DOF unit said Galang failed to accurately declare her real estate properties for eight years including a townhouse in Quezon City won by her in a Supreme Court case in November 2001 but acquired by auction in 1993.

“The law requires for the full disclosure of wealth in the SALN or Statement of Assets, Liabilities and Net Worth. To the extent that Galang has failed to disclose her acquisition of the said townhouse is totally in contravention with the directive of the law regarding full disclosure,” the DOF unit said.

As such, the DOF unit alleged that Galang acquired wealth that is disproportionate to her salary and legitimate means of income.

This violates the Anti-Graft and Corrupt Practices Act and the Code of Conduct and Ethical Standards for Public Officials and Employees, it said.

While investigation is ongoing, Galang may be preventively suspended for a period of not more than six months and face a possible dismissal from government service if proven guilty of amassing wealth grossly disproportionate to her lawful income.