Family of three in DepEd to face ill-gotten wealth forfeiture proceedings

A family of three working for the Department of Education (DepEd) Region 4 will face forfeiture proceedings before the Sandiganbayan for alleged ill-gotten wealth.

In a statement on Wednesday, the Office of the Ombudsman said it had ordered the filing of a petition to initiate forfeiture proceedings against former DepEd Regional Director Jesus Nieves; his wife, former Supervisor Segunda Nieves; and their stepdaughter, former Data Controller III Gwendolyn Sola.

Their statements of assets and liabilities networth (SALN) showed that their declared income from 2005 to 2007 amounted to P1,953,597.50, but their combined wealth during the period shot up to P10,601,402.50.

The Office of Ombudsman also found the following undeclared properties – a commercial lot in Kamuning, Quezon City, registered in the name of Segundina and valued at P7.6 million; a residential lot in Batasan Hills, Quezon City, registered in the name of Gwendolyn and valued at P3.5 million; and a Toyota Fortuner registered in the name of Gwendolyn and valued at P1.54 million.

Ombudsman investigators also found that the P1.54 million Fortuner was bought by Gwendolyn in cash.

In a joint resolution, the Office of the Ombudsman said these properties were “prima facie presumed to have been unlawfully acquired as the amounts thereof are manifestly out of proportion to respondents’ salaries as such public officers.”

The Ombudsman said there was “reasonable ground to believe” the former regional director unlawfully acquired properties in violation of Republic Act 1379, “in conspiracy with his wife and stepdaughter,” especially because he had no registered business interests and other legitimate sources of income.

Besides the forfeiture proceedings, the Jesus Nieves was also indicted for perjury for allegedly failing to declare his Kamuning property in his 2007 SALN. He will to be charged with perjury before the Sandiganbayan.

Meanwhile, Gwendolyn Sola was indicted for three counts of ethical breach in violation of Section 8 of the Code of Conduct and Ethical Standards for Public Officials and Employees (Republic Act 6713), for allegedly failing to file her 2007 to 2009 SALN. Due to her lower salary grade, her case would be lodged before a municipal trial court. /atm