Provincial Assessor convicted of graft over free-for-all issuance of tax declarations

The Sandiganbayan has convicted former Zambales Provincial Assessor Roberto Corpus of 37 counts of graft for issuing tax declarations for a Subic property to 37 parties who are not its owners.

In a 79-page decision, the anti-graft court noted that Corpus admitted before the court that his office issued 37 tax declarations to various parties even if it did not conduct ocular inspection over a 19.6880-hectare property in Subic that turned out to be owned by a couple, Rolando and Marites Young.

“It behooves accused Corpus to exercise utmost circumspection during his stewardship. To heedlessly issue a tax declaration to any Tom, Dick or Harry who claims to have a personal interest over a parcel of land, which is engirdled within a vast, titled space, will dishevel the systems of land registration and real property tax administration,” the anti-graft court said.

“Corpus' failure to do his job as Provincial Assessor efficiently, effectively and equitably warrants a verdict finding him guilty of the spate of misfeasance. Any assessor worth his salt should not only be competent, but, more importantly, should give paramount consideration to the rights and interests of the people who may be affected by his official actions,” the Sandiganbayan added.

Likewise, the Sandiganbayan cited that the taxes collected therefrom Corpus’ actions cannot be tallied as efficiency gains since the backlash from such dysfunctional practice is manifold, and the stakeholders, including the government, would bear the brunt.

“Indisputably, Mr. and Mrs. Young are in the actual physical possession of the subject lot. On the other hand, the 37 tax declarations do not shed light on the circumstances of the declarants' entry into the property,” the Sandiganbayan said.

“After a judicious assessment of the testimonial and documentary evidence on record, the Court finds, and so holds, that accused Corpus committed the offense charged,” Sandiganbayan added.

The court has sentenced Corpus to six to 10 years' imprisonment for each count of graft, on top of perpetual disqualification from public office, and loss of all retirement and gratuity benefits under any law.

Corpus’ prison time, however, will not exceed 40 years. — BM, GMA News