Ex-DA undersecretary charged for exaggerating value of house

Officials have been routinely charged for understating their wealth. But, former Department of Agriculture Undersecretary Belinda Gonzales is actually accused of exaggerating the value of her house.

The Office of the Ombudsman has filed perjury charges against Gonzales for declaring that she acquired her house and lot in Project 6, Quezon City for P2.6 million, “when in truth and in fact as the said accused very well knew that the said statement is false.”

“She purchased the said house and lot from one Elizabeth H. Hael for Nine Hundred Thousand Pesos (P900,000.00), as evidenced by the Deed of Absolute Sale dated 7 November 2002,” the charge sheets alleged.

Prosecutors accused her of making a “false statement upon a material matter” in her sworn Statements of Assets, Liabilities and Net Worth submitted for the years 2005 and 2006.

Gonzales allegedly committed two counts of perjury under Article 183 of the Revised Penal Code.

Prosecutors recommended that bail be set at P12,000. Ombudsman Conchita Carpio Morales signed the charge sheets on May 22, but these were only filed on July 14.

The charges were raffled off on Friday to the Sandiganbayan Seventh Division.