Agusan BIR exec faces fraud raps

AN administrative officer of the Bureau of Internal Revenue (BIR) from Bayugan City, Agusan del Sur province is facing charges before the Office of the Ombudsman in Mindanao (OMB-Min) over a fraudulent act.

The Ombudsman found probable cause to charge Ireneo Tac-an Tabanao, officer-in-charge for the Tax Exemption Division of the BIR in Bayugan City, with estafa for receiving money from their client without authority from his office.

In a four-page resolution, the Ombudsman charged the accused based on the judicial affidavit filed by Mariano Ostos.

Ostos said he and his wife consulted the accused last March 3, 2014 relative to the estate tax of the lot he purchased so that the land title will be transferred to his name.

The accused promised Ostos to handle the transfer of the title.

The accused, however, allegedly asked P4,000 initial payment from the complainant with representation that he had a contact person who could facilitate the processing of the documents to develop the transfer of the land title to him.

Ostos also said that he was convinced, several times, to release additional amounts by the accused for the processing of the documents worth P26,000. He also assured the accused on the affidavit of publication that was forthcoming.

Despite the demands, the accused failed to deliver the land title and/or to refund the complainant.

The accused was directed to file his counteraffidavit and controvert-

ing evidence in September 2016. Despite receipt the accused did not comply.

It was established that the accused received the money as processing fee to facilitate the transfer of the land title in the name of the complainant without authority from the BIR.

The failure of the accused to deliver the land title to complainant and/or refund the money he received, despite due receipt thereof, led to the conclusion that he utilized the money for personal use. ICT