The Office of the Ombudsman on Thursday ordered a one-year suspension of an official of Misamis Oriental for oppression and neglect of duty.
Ombudsman Conchita Carpio Morales directed the suspension of local treasury operations officer IV Marilou Rivera over the anomalous issuance of warrants of garnishment against a Japanese firm in 2014.
The provincial government issued an assessment against chemical firm Pilipinas Kao Inc. (PKI) for unpaid real property taxes amounting to P631.5 million from 2002 to 2013.
Then Philippine Economic Zone Authority manager Procolo Olaivar told the local government that the firm was exempted from paying local taxes, including real property taxes, under the Special Economic Zone Act.
Despite the Peza clarification, Rivera still issued a warrant of levy for P244.7 million against the company in October 2013.
She also issued warrants of garnishment in January 2014 against the firm’s bank accounts to cover the assessed amount of P631.5 million.
“Respondent’s issuance of the warrant of garnishment against PKI’s bank accounts appear to be improper,” Morales said.
