Presiding Judge John Boomsri Rodolfo of the Metropolitan Trial Court (MTC), Branch 38 of Quezon City found Bureau of Internal Revenue District Officer III Arlene Grageda guilty of violation of Section 8(a) of Republic Act No. 6713 (Code of Conduct and Ethical Standards for Public Officials and Employees).
The court found that Grageda failed to declare her minor children’s business and financial interests in her 2006 Statement of Assets, Liabilities, and Net Worth (SALN).
In its Judgment, the MTC stated that “the fact that her minor children were publicly listed as investors in the General Information Sheet of Isla Janitorial Services, Inc. filed with the Securities and Exchange Commission is enough reason for Ms. Grageda to declare said investments in her SALN,” contrary to her unsubstantiated claim that it was only in July 2007 that she was able to fully pay for her children’s investments.
The MTC ordered her to pay a fine of P2,000.00 as penalty.
Under Section 8 of R.A. No. 6713, public officials and employees are required to annually file under oath, their SALN and a disclosure of business interests and financial connections and those of their spouses and unmarried children under 18 years of age living in their households. ###