Customs collector suspended for failing lifestyle check

MANILA, Philippines–The Office of the Ombudsman on Monday suspended a customs collector for failing a lifestyle check which showed a P57.3 million increase in his net worth in a span of 10 years.

Ordered put under preventive suspension was Maximo Dela Peña Reyes, Collector IV, Port of Cebu, Bureau of Customs. He is facing a case for Serious Dishonesty, Grave Misconduct and Conduct Prejudicial to the Best Interest of the Service.

The Ombudsman was prompted to investigate following a tip about the frequent travels of Reyes.

After the fact-finding investigation, the Ombudsman discovered that Reyes had an unexplained wealth of P89,194,806.37, with undeclared or misdeclared assets amounting to P44,562,440.67.

Aside from noting a P57.3 million increase in his net worth for the period 2000 to 2010, the Ombudsman also discovered that he did not file his Statements of Assets, Liabilities and Net Worth (SALNs) for the years 2001 and 2009.

Reyes is suspended for six months without pay pending the conduct of administrative proceedings against him.