DOF raps BIR official on unexplained wealth

The Finance Department has pressed charges against an Internal Revenue official for questionable wealth exceeding her legitimate sources of income. According to the Department of Finance's (DOF) Revenue Integrity Protection Service (RIPS), the agency's anti-corruption unit, BIR chief revenue district officer IV Elenita Quimosing has acquired "questionable wealth" despite her modest earnings. In a 16-page complaint filed before the Ombudsman on July 12, RIPS claimed the BIR official violated Republic Act (RA) 3019 or the Anti-Graft and Corrupt Practices Act, RA 6713 or the Code of Ethical Standards for Public Officials and Employees and Articles 171 and 183 of the Revised Penal Code. The unit's investigation showed that before 1980, Quimosing only had a total net worth of P76,600 but was able to acquire a portfolio of exclusive real estate properties. "It is [suspicious] how the respondent, given her financial standing, could afford to purchase such an impressive portfolio of [real estate worth P25 million], more or less," stated RIPS's complaint released on Monday. The DOF unit also accused Quimosing of falsifying details of her Statement of Assets, Liabilities and Net Worth, saying she made false declarations about an apartment in Cubao as well as four high-end vehicles worth an estimated P5 million. DOF's RIPS has already filed a total of 86 cases against 126 public officials since its inception in 2003, with 51 officials getting a suspension order while 19 were already dismissed from the service. The RIPS unit is mandated to investigate allegations of corrupt practices of public officials and — if necessary — file appropriate cases against them. — JMT/VS, GMA News