The Philippine Government charged four officials from the tax and customs bureaus with graft and corruption, eight months after President Gloria Arroyo started a "lifestyle check" on some officials to weed out corruption - Philippines - Brief Article

Business Asia, August, 2003

The Philippine Government charged four officials from the tax and customs bureaus with graft and corruption, eight months after President Gloria Arroyo started a "lifestyle check" on some officials to weed out corruption. The four had homes in posh neighbourhoods, luxury vehicles and millions of dollars in bank accounts, none of which they could explain, according to assistant finance secretary Emmanuel Bonoan, who also said these first four were just a start to weed out.

The Philippines, which has had deficits since 1998, is cracking down on tax evaders to try to improve collections and to balance the budget by 2009. If convicted, the four officials face up to six years in prison and are permanently barred through holding any public office.