By Perfecto T. Raymundo
MANILA, Aug. 17 (PNA) — The Office of the Ombudsman (Ombudsman) has affirmed the finding of probable cause holding South Upi, Maguindanao Mayor Abdullah Campong and Municipal Treasurer Onofre Natividad liable for the municipality’s failure to remit Pag-IBIG premiums from April 2007 to November 2007 and the taxes withheld on employees’ compensation from January 2007 to December 2007.
Campong and Natividad face eight counts of violation of Section 23 of Presidential Decree No. 1752, or “An Act Creating the Home Development Mutual Fund”, as amended by Republic Act No. 7742, and 12 counts of violation of Section 272 (b) of Republic Act No. 8424, or “An Act Amending the National Internal Revenue Code”.
Records show that in a letter dated Nov. 19, 2007, Pag-IBIG sent to the Office of the Mayor a copy of the Schedule of Unremitted Contributions and Government Counterpart.
The Ombudsman ruled that Campong and Natividad are primary fiduciary officers responsible for making sure that Pag-IBIG contributions and BIR taxes are promptly paid and remitted. (PNA)