Trillanes calls for Senate probe into BOC corruption after exposé

MANILA, Philippines – Opposition Senator Antonio Trillanes IV has sought a parallel Senate probe into the corruption schemes inside the Bureau of Customs (BOC), following the exposé of Senator Panfilo Lacson that certain officials are accepting bribes.

Trillanes filed Senate Resolution 474, directing the ways and means committee to conduct an investigation into the possible violations of Republic Act 10863 or the Customs Modernization and Tariff Act.

The Senate already has an ongoing investigation into the corruption in the agency, under the blue ribbon committee. The probe, however, focuses on the P6.4-billion shabu shipment smuggled from China. 

Citing a 2014 report by Global Financial Integrity, Trillanes said the Philippines lost more than P19 trillion between 1960 and 2011 due to illegal financial flow, with fraudulent importation of goods increasing in recent years.

“It is therefore imperative upon the Senate to study and formulate remedial legislation to strengthen existing laws and/or correct implementation loopholes in order to finally carry out reforms in the BOC, and to restore the confidence of the public in the said bureau that carries out such a relevant revenue-generating function,” he said in the resolution.

The senator, citing testimonies of BOC broker and “fixer” Mark Ruben Taguba in the probe, said numerous officials are receiving “tara” or bribe money.

He also cited Lacson’s privilege speech, where the latter gave a list of names, led by former BOC Commissioner Nicanor Faeldon, purportedly paying and receiving bribes. Faeldon denied the allegations against him, and in turn, accused Lacson’s son of smuggling.

Taguba, in a Senate hearing, also alleged that he gave money to the “friend” and “handler” of Davao City Vice Mayor Paolo Duterte, presidential son, in exchange for smooth transactions with the BOC.

President Rodrigo Duterte has repeatedly said he would resign if there is proof that any of his children are involved in corrupt practices.

In 2007, the Presidential Anti-Smuggling Group and the National Bureau of Investigation released documents showing the young Duterte was allegedly involved in smuggling.

Duterte allies in the Senate have said there is no evidence against the presidential son. – Rappler.com