Porsche-driving BOC clerk faces more raps

MANILA, Philippines - The Office of the Ombudsman has found probable cause to indict a former Bureau of Customs (BOC) clerk who figured in a traffic altercation in 2012 as he was driving a Porsche Carrera.

In a nine-page resolution released yesterday, the ombudsman directed the filing of charges for five counts of falsification of public documents and two counts of violating Section 7 of Republic Act 3019, the anti-graft and corrupt practices law, against Paulino Elevado IV for failing to declare a true and detailed Statement of Assets, Liabilities and Net Worth (SALN).

In January 2012, Elevado reportedly beat up and shot at a student along the South Luzon Expressway. The BOC ordered a lifestyle check on Elevado shortly after the incident.

Elevado resigned the next month and denied owning the Porsche, valued at around P5 million, saying he was only an agent in its sale. He later admitted that he owns a business engaged in buying and selling cars.

Paulino, at the time he resigned, held the rank of administrative aide 4 or messenger with salary grade two.

According to investigators, Elevado started his career in the BOC in 1992 as a messenger with an annual salary of P24,876. From 2005 to 2008, he assumed the post of acting customs operations officer 3.

At the time of the investigation, Elevado was found to have maintained two homes – one at Kassel Townhomes in BF Resort and another at Casa California Executive in BF Resort Village, both in Las Piñas City – all from an annual gross salary of P115,725.

Investigators noted that Elevado was able to purchase a P400,000 Volvo station wagon (1995 model) in 2003 and amass P525,332 in bank deposits as of 2010.  

In a related administrative case, Elevado was found guilty of serious dishonesty, conduct prejudicial to the best interest of the service and violating the code of conduct and ethical standards for public officials and employees after he failed to file his SALN from 1992 to 1996 and from 1999 to 2002.

As Elevado had resigned, he was fined P20,000 and his retirement benefits forfeited.

In a January 2013 decision in another administrative case, Elevado was dismissed from service for grave misconduct after he was proven guilty of demanding P200,000 from Prima Modas Inc. in exchange for releasing a shipment containing snacks, gummed paper, garments, hair accessories and synthetic slippers in 2011.