The Office of the Ombudsman found probable cause to indict former Balangiga, Samar Mayor Viscuso De Lira and his wife, Administrative Assistant Emelita de Lira, for misdeclaring their Joint Statement of Assets, Liabilities and Net Worth (SALN).
Viscuso and Emelita were charged with three counts of Perjury and three counts of violation of Section 8 of the Code of Conduct and Ethical Standards for Public Officials and Employees, according to a Resolution approved by Ombudsman Conchita Carpio Morales.
Graft probers said that the couple undervalued the cost of their Nissan Patrol Super Safari in their 2013 SALN by declaring the cost of the vehicle as only P1,800,000.00 instead of its actual value of P3,048,480.00. Moreover, Mayor De Lira failed to declare ownership over several high-powered firearms in his SALNs.
Article 171 of the Revised Penal Code defines the crime of Perjury as “making untruthful statements in a narration of facts. The penalty of prision mayor and a fine not to exceed P5,000 pesos shall be imposed upon any public officer or employee taking advantage of his official position.” On the other hand, under Section 8 of R.A. No. 6713 “public officials and employees have an obligation to accomplish and submit declarations under oath of, and the public has the right to know, their assets, liabilities, net worth and financial and business interests including those of their spouses and of unmarried children under eighteen (18) years of age living in their households.”