The DOF unit said Merencilla had steadily acquired two real properties in Paranaque and Batangas City in 1992; four townhouses and another apartment in Sampaloc within the year 1996; as well as a farm in Lipa City and two more lots in Paranaque and Batangas City in 2002.


He also failed to declare the existence of certain vehicles registered under his name and his immediate family members.


To conceal the extent of his wealth, Merencilla and his wife stated fictitious loans from the state-owned Government Service Insurance System (GSIS) as cited in his 1996 to 2006 SALNs.


Aside from fictitious loans, misrepresentations were also made on their business interest wherein a passenger jeepney business stated instead of the bus terminal registered under his wife’s name which had a four-year lapsed permit.


While the case is ongoing, the Ombudsman may preventively suspend Merencilla for not more than six months.
On the other hand, a guilty verdict against him will result in his dismissal from government service and forfeiture of his ill-gotten wealth. (DOF/RJB/SDL/PIA NCR)

Customs operations chief charged for dishonesty and unexplained wealth