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Customs employee convicted for SALN violation
01 July 2013

The Office of the Ombudsman scored victory over a criminal case against Spouses Teotimo and Vivian Sacluti, both from the Bureau of Customs (BOC), for failing to declare their business interest and financial connection with Bodgie Motor and Iron Works in their joint Statements of Assets and Liabilities and Net Worth (SALN) for six years from 2000 to 2005.

In a 16-page Decision, Judge Glenda R. Mendoza-Ramos of the Metropolitan Trial Court, Branch 30, Manila imposed on spouses Sacluti the penalty of fine of P5,000.00 for each of the six counts of violation of Section 8 of Republic Act No. 6713 otherwise known as the Code of Conduct and Ethical Standards for Public Officials and Employees.

The Decision stated that “it is not uncommon that mistakes or omissions may be committed as most in the public service are not properly adept in accomplishing it [SALN]. Be that as it may, a public official or employee must comply with what the SALN requires to be disclosed and absent any clear showing of mere oversight, inadvertence or the like will not exempt anyone from liability under the law.”

Judge Mendoza-Ramos also added that “a public official or employee being a public servant has the duty and obligation to disclose all his wealth as well as liabilities whenever called to public service. Such requirement is a compliment to the constitutional mandate that public service is a public trust and public officials must live a simple life.”

Both accused were acquitted, however, from the separate charges of perjury.

The case stemmed from a complaint received by the Department of Finance (DOF) through their hotline accusing spouses Sacluti of engaging in corrupt practices.

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