Graft raps filed vs Customs official for failing lifestyle check

An employee of the Bureau of Customs was charged for graft after failing the lifestyle check set by the government.

In a nine-page complaint filed at the Ombudsman, the Department of Finance (DOF) said Customs Operations Officer 3 Felix Embalsado failed to explain at least P11 million worth of real estate properties and a fleet of expensive vehicles in his possession notwithstanding his gross monthly salary of P14,450 or P173,400 a year.

The DOF’s Revenue Integrity Protection Service (RIPS) said.

Embalsado made misleading declarations in his annual statements of assets and liabilities in order to conceal his alleged ill-gotten wealth.

Embalsado has been an employee of the Bureau of Customs since 1978 and promoted to Customs Operations Officer 3 of BOC office in Sta. Clara, Batangas.

The RIPS said Embalsado began his career in the BOC as a gatekeeper in May 1978 with only P1,200 worth of assets – consisting of a watch, books and clothes.

The RIPS added Embalsado, in his May 12, 1978 statement of assets and liabilities, also declared that he was "without any cash savings, realty or other assets of substance or value."

However, further investigation revealed Embalsado managed to acquire a building in Darasa, Tanauan City, Batangas; a parcel of land also in Darasa; a building in St. Joseph Village in Tanauan City; a parcel of land in St. Joseph Subdivision in Tanauan City; among other real estate assets that were assessed to be worth at least P9 million.

Embalsado also owns a fleet of vehicles, which included a 2006 Honda Civic (VDZ-267), a 1995 Mitsubishi Space Wagon (UCT-932), a 1995 Toyota sedan (DHY-275), a 2003 Mitsukoshi motorcycle (WF-6222) and a Toyota Hi-Ace van (UDN-595).

The vehicles were placed by the RIPS at a combined value of at least P2 million.

According to the RIPS, Embalsado only declared ownership of two house and lot properties in Tanauan City in his statements of assets and liabilities.

But the RIPS said Embalsado also "maliciously failed to declare the actual number and value of the vehicles which he had acquired during his tenure in the BOC."

"It is clear from the foregoing that the respondent has acquired wealth which is clearly disproportionate to his salary and legitimate means in clear violation of Republic Act 3019 or the Anti-Graft and Corrupt Practices Act and the Code of Conduct and Ethical Standards for Public Officials and Employees.

The RIPS also requested the Office of the Ombudsman to place Embalsado under preventive suspension during the duration of the investigation on the complaint.

The RIPS also asked the Ombudsman to issue an order to seize Embalsado’s properties proven to have been illegally acquired, including those registered in the names of his children and relatives.

Since the start of its operation in 2004, RIPS has been able to file graft complaints against 21 Customs officials and 20 from the Bureau of Internal Revenue (BIR).

The RIPS was created by Executive Order 259 with the express mandate and jurisdiction to conduct lifestyle checks and investigate allegations of graft and corrupt practices against employees and officials of the DOF and its attached agencies, including the Bureau of Customs.