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DOF targets 70 employees for lifestyle check before 2017 ends


In line with President Rodrigo Duterte's goal of eradicating corruption in government, the Department of Finance is targeting to place at least 70 employees from its main office and attached agencies under lifestyle checks during the remaining weeks of 2017.

Finance Undersecretary Bayani Agabin said the Revenue Integrity Protection Service (RIPS) will investigate employees who bought real estate and personal properties.

"For instance, there is one that we are investigating. In 1996, his annual salary was P80,000, he was able to buy a lot worth P40,000. Then in 1997, he (reported that his) annual salary was P126,000, he was able to buy a lot for P150,000. His annual salary is not even enough to pay for that lot," Agabin noted.

RIPS executive director Gilberto Espinosa said 10 more personnel were placed under lifestyle checks every month.

"So, we started actively initiating investigations last January. So, we are targeting around 70 plus by the end of the year," Espinosa said.

Cases that require resolution and further investigation are forwarded either to the Office of the Ombudsman or the Civil Service Commission (CSC).

"From January to September 2017, decisions were promulgated by the Ombudsman and CSC finding several employees and officials of the BOC and BIR guilty of grave misconduct and serious dishonesty and finding anomalies regarding the accomplishment and filing of their Statement of Assets, Liabilities and Net Worth (SALN) reports," RIPS said.

Duterte ran for president on a platform of anti-corruption in government, and so far has fired officials and employees over allegations of graft.

In October, he signed Executive Order No. 43, creating the Presidential Anti-Corruption Commission. — Anna Felicia Bajo/VDS, GMA News

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