DOF-RIPS charges BOC official for amassing unexplained wealth

The Department of Finance on Wednesday said its Revenue Integrity Protection Service (RIPS) has filed criminal and administrative charges with the Office of the Ombudsman against a Bureau of Customs official who supposedly amassed unexplained wealth. RIPS, the department’s anti-corruption arm, On Tuesday filed charges against the BOC official with a position title Collector IV assigned at the bureau’s Mindanao Container Terminal Phividec in Tacoloan, Misamis Oriental. In the complaint that the Finance Department showed reporters on Wednesday, the official was identified as Lowel Lomuljo Medija, a public servant whose gross annual income was roughly P500,000. In the middle of last year, the media reported that Medija flunked a lifestyle check conducted by RIPS. Evidence submitted by RIPS to backup its case, showed that the Customs official acquired three mansions as well as other properties and real estate in Davao City. On top of those assets, the official supposedly owns 16 vehicles, including Ford Explorer, Toyota Fortuner, Toyota Land Cruiser, Honda Civic, Nissan Silvia, Honda Hatchback, Mazda Tribute 2 as well as Isuzu cargo trucks and utility vans, and a Honda motorcycle. According to RIPS, Medija is liable for violating Perjury and Falsification articles of the Revised Penal Code for making incorrect and untruthful declarations in his statements of assets, liabilities and net worth or SALN involving his business interests, real properties and other acquisitions. — VS, GMA News