DOJ: BIR Officer Jailed for Money Laundering

DOJ: BIR Officer Jailed for Money Laundering

By Bing Jabadan – TheNATIONWEEK.com | April 28, 2026

ZAMBOANGA CITY, Philippines – The Department of Justice (DOJ) has secured a pivotal court victory, convicting a Bureau of Internal Revenue (BIR) officer in Zamboanga City on multiple counts of money laundering, stemming from a brazen extortion scheme. 

This landmark ruling, obtained after a robust prosecution effort initiated by the Anti-Money Laundering Council Secretariat (AMLCS) complaints, underscores the government’s unwavering commitment to combating corruption and financial crimes within public service.

BIR Revenue Officer IV Flora Sarau Albao of Revenue District No. 93A was found guilty by the Zamboanga City Regional Trial Court Branch 12 of violating Sections 4(a) and 4(b) of RA 9160 (Anti-Money Laundering Act), as amended. The conviction follows predicate charges of direct bribery, robbery with intimidation, and violations of the Anti-Graft and Corrupt Practices Act (RA No. 3019).

Albao’s criminal activities came to light following an entrapment operation by the National Bureau of Investigation (NBI) on May 27, 2022, where she was apprehended for allegedly extorting P500,000.00. The NBI’s swift action triggered an AMLC investigation, which exposed a sophisticated money laundering operation.

AMLC analysis revealed that Albao maintained an astonishing 36 bank accounts across four major banking institutions: Bank of the Philippine Islands (BPI), Philippine National Bank (PNB), Metropolitan Bank & Trust Co. (Metrobank), and Banco de Oro (BDO). Despite a monthly income of P49,835 (Salary Grade 19), Albao deposited an average of P93,000 per month between May and August 2022 – more than double her legitimate earnings.

Justice Secretary Fredderick A. Vida emphasized the government’s resolve: “Public office demands a higher standard of accountability and integrity. Those entrusted with the privilege to serve must not only perform with excellence but also uphold the highest degree of candor in all their dealings—this is the benchmark that our Bagong Pilipinas government will never compromise.”

The court’s damning verdict sentences Albao to successive prison terms: 7 to 13 years for the first six money laundering cases, each carrying a P3-million fine; and 4 to 6 years for the remaining six cases, with a P1.5-million fine each.

This decisive outcome serves as a powerful deterrent, signaling the DOJ’s relentless pursuit of justice against corrupt officials and its commitment to upholding the rule of law.