BOC OFFICIALS, PERSONNEL IN 4 COLLECTION DISTRICTS TO FACE PROBE

BUREAU of Customs (BOC) Commissioner Ariel F. Nepomuceno announced that some bureau officials and personnel in stationed in four collection districts are to face investigation as ‘persons of interest’ in connection with the importation of 30 luxury vehicles owned by the Discaya couple.

At a media briefing on September 10 at the BOC main office in Manila, the Customs chief gave an update on their investigation of the vehicles owned by Pacifico ‘Curlee’ and his wife, Cesarah ‘Sarah’ Discaya, the private contractors who are now at the center of the multi-billion flood control project scandal.

Out of the couple’s reported ownership of more than 80 vehicles, over half of them luxury vehicles, the BOC has taken custody of 30 vehicles early this month.

Commissioner Nepomuceno stressed their main objective is to verify if the vehicles were imported legally and that the correct duties and taxes were paid to the government.

He bared that their investigation revealed that 8 motor vehicles turned out to be smuggled in the absence of any import entry and would be immediately seized by the government.

Another 7 vehicles although covered by import entries were found to lack ‘COPs’ (Certificates of Payment) and showed deficiencies in duties and taxes paid.

Commissioner Nepomuceno said he had directed Assistant Commissioner Atty. Vincent Maronilla, head of the Post Clearance Audit Group (PCAG) to immediately conduct a “transaction audit” on the vehicles.

He added the PCAG was also tasked to conduct a similar audit on 14 other vehicles which were covered with import entries and COPs.

BOC records showed that duties and taxes assessed and collected for vehicles with filed entries across various ports amounted to P33,056,705.45.

However, since eight of the vehicles were found with no entries filed, while seven vehicles reflected discrepancies in declared values as determined by the Import Assessment Service (IAS), the BOC should have collected at least P104, 716,704.38, leaving a deficit of P71,659,998.94.

Commissioner Nepomuceno further said that the vehicles were released on various occasions at the Port of Batangas, Port of Cebu, Port of Manila, and the Manila International Container Port.

He said bureau personnel and officials involved in the processing of the vehicles are now subjects of their ongoing investigation.

“The BOC will not allow any attempt to evade the payment of lawful duties and taxes.

“The deliberate evasion of customs laws, particularly involving high-value goods, undermines government revenue and erodes public trust.

“We will ensure that the law is applied fairly and consistently, regardless of who is involved.

“If the findings point to the accountability of individuals outside the agency or within our own ranks, we will act with the same resolve.

“Under my leadership, no one is exempt from the rule of law, and no one will be shielded from accountability,” Commissioner Nepomuceno said.