SC disbars ex-Customs director over sale of confiscated vehicle

The Supreme Court (SC) said Friday it has ordered the disbarment of a former director of the Bureau of Customs (BOC) for attempting to sell a vehicle that was confiscated by the bureau.

In a statement, the SC said the former Customs director was found guilty of violating the Code of Professional Responsibility And Accountability (CPRA) after he claimed that his position gave him the authority to sell vehicles that have been confiscated by the agency.

Due to this, the SC ordered his name to be removed from the Roll of Attorneys.

It also directed the former BOC official to pay a fine in the amount of P20,000 for his disobedience to the orders of the Integrated Bar of the Philippines.

According to the Court, the former Customs official attempted to sell to the complainant a car for a price of P1.4 million in July 2000. 

He assured the complainant, whom he had known since high school, that the transaction was legal and that official receipts would be issued.

After being told that the vehicle was ready for delivery, the complainant prepared a check. However, the former Customs official insisted for the complainant to pay in cash, which he received personally in his office. 

The complainant was later told that the Department of Finance has yet to sign the documents for the vehicle’s release. Following this, the former BOC official told the complainant that the vehicle could no longer be released as someone ran off with the money. 

He issued a receipt to guarantee the return of the complainant’s money. Despite repeatedly asking the BOC director to return her money, the Court said he avoided her.

“The Court held that (the former Customs official)’s blatant violation of the law, as shown by his conviction by the Sandiganbayan; his lack of remorse when complainant repeatedly begged him to return her money; and his futile attempt to use an unknown employee of the BOC as a scapegoat all demonstrate his unfitness to continue in the practice of law,” the SC said.—AOL, GMA Integrated News