HEADLINES THURSDAY JAN. 15, 2009
Jan 15th, 2009 by eldred
*SHIPMENT OF RICE OUTSIDE BOHOL REMAINS TO BE REGULATED AMID THE REPORTED INCREASE IN THE PRICES OF RICE IN BOHOL
*BOHOLANO OFW WHO WAS SENTENCE TO JAIL GETS CLEARANCE TO COME HOME TO HIS FAMILY
*POLICE FACES A BLANK WALL TO IDENTIFY THE TRIGGERMAN WHO KILLED
BUSINESSMAN REDENTOR ROSALES, THE LATEST VICTIM OF A SHOOTING INCIDENT IN THE CITY THAT REMAINS UNSOLVED
*ATTY. TIMI CABATOS CONDEMNED FORMER ALBUR MAYOR UGDORACION FOR MAKING FALSE REPRESENTATION AS RIGHTFUL SUCCESSOR TO THE VACATED SLOT AS ALBUR KAGAWAD
*RESIDENTS QUESTION THE INCREASE IN FEES IN GETTING PERMITS AT THE BARANGAY
*REVENUE DISTRICT OFFICER MARCELINO QUITO REMINDS TAXPAYERS OF THE DEADLINE FOR FILING TAXES WITH THE BIR
*WASTE WATER TREATMENT IN PANGLAO PROPOSED BY PILIPINAS WATER MIGHT BE PULLED OUT
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Ombudsman suspends BIR official
By Jomar Canlas, Reporter
OMBUDSMAN Maria Merceditas Navarro-Gutierrez suspended from holding office a ranking official of the Bureau of Internal Revenue (BIR) for alleged acquisition of ill-gotten wealth that caused his lifestyle check.
In an eight-page order, Gutierrez placed under six-month preventive suspension Marcelino Quito, chief revenue officer IV, Revenue District Office (RDO) No. 70, Masbate City, pending investigation of charges of grave misconduct and violation of Republic Act No. 6713 (Code of Conduct and Ethical Standards for Public Officials and Employees).
Gutierrez said that the increase in his Quito’s net worth as reflected in his yearly Statements of Assets Liabilities and Net Worth (SALN) cannot be justified by his annual gross income, considering that he has no other sources of income other than what he receives from the government.
“After careful evaluation of the records of this case, this Office finds sufficient basis to place Respondent Marcelino Quito under preventive suspension without pay pending the investigation of this case,” the Order says.
She ordered BIR OIC-Commissioner Lilian B. Hefti to implement the order immediately upon its receipt.
The preventive suspension order was given so Quito will not be able to use his office and tamper the evidence in the course of the investigation.
The case stemmed from a joint complaint affidavit of the Department of Finance. Quito was BIR chief revenue officer assigned in Masbate. He was charged for violation of the Anti-Graft and Corrupt Practices Act, perjury and violation of the Code of Conduct for Government Officials and Employees.
It was alleged that Quito “has acquired wealth clearly disproportionate to his salary and legitimate means in clear and trenchant violation of [the law].”
It appeared in his service record that Quito has an annual salary of P256,116 or P21,343 per month.
Based on Quito ‘s SALNs, his net worth increased P7,919,060 in 2004 from only P1,121,425.95 in 1995. In contrast, his annual income was only P96,276 in 1995, and P256,116 in 2004.
It appeared in the investigation that Quito was able to acquire 15 real properties, including nine fishponds and seven residential lots in Minalin, Pampanga.
Some of the said properties were put into manipulation to shield the various acquisitions by using dummies, including his sons Marlon, Marvin and Martin.
It was also discovered that the Quito family, his wife Rizalinda and their children Marlon, Marvin, Marlin, Marcelino Jr., Martin and Marion, have engaged in luxurious travels to the United States, Thailand and Hong Kong.