TAYTAY, Rizal -- Outgoing Bureau of Customs (BOC) Commissioner Nicanor Faeldon on Thursday said that 67 shipments of cement allegedly brought in by Panfilo Lacson Jr., son of Senator Panfilo Lacson, were "undervalued".
Faeldon bared this after Senator Lacson earlier accused him of receiving "payola" worth PHP100 million as welcome gift from smugglers.
In a press conference here, the resigned Customs chief revealed that Panfilo Lacson Jr., is allegedly involved in smuggling multi-billion pesos worth of cement thru undervaluation, representing 67 shipments from June 2016 up to present.
He noted that only four out of the 67 shipments have been corrected, or paid the corresponding Average Freight Rate/MT.
The four shipments were alerted for undervaluation of freight by more than 50 percent, he said, adding that it happened sometime in July.
"Hindi siya nag warrant seizure and detention. USD16. There was an attempt (to undervalue). Ni rectify," Faeldon said in a press conference at the covered court of Palmera VI here.
The young Lacson is said to be the Managing Director of Bonjourno Trading located at B15, L18, Ph 2 J.P. Rizal Street, Cityhomes Subdivision Molino IV, Bacoor, Cavite, based on the documents presented by Faeldon during the press conference.
He noted that they are currently investigating the remaining shipments which are estimated to be worth PHP4.6 billion and if there were also attempts to undervalue the cargoes.
While Faeldon denied receiving "payola", he revealed that there was an attempt to bribe him.
"There was attempt to bribe me not PHP100 million, it was PHP300,000 weekly by one importer but not direct importer, a third person who went to me," he noted.
Faeldon also questioned the senator's motive in accusing him of corruption
"Why did you destroy the reputation of officers who are not corrupt.. What is your motive? Anong motive mo, Sen. Lacson? To destroy us?" the outgoing Customs chief said.
Faeldon said there were six of them who went to the BOC when he was appointed as the commission's head.
"I can vouch for my team and alam mo 'yan. Matitino 'yan," he said, adding that out of the six, three have resigned -- Neil Anthony Estrella, BOC Intelligence, Investigation Service Director; Milo Maestrecampo, Import Assessment Director; and him.
He said the three other officials -- Deputy Commissioners Natalio Ecarma III, Gerardo Gambala, and Legal Division Dir. Alvin Ebreo -- are ready to quit as soon as the new BOC Commissioner reports to work.
"I was with them yesterday (Wednesday). As soon as the new Commissioner report to office they will submit their resignation and turn over their jobs properly," Faeldon said.
On Monday, President Rodrigo Duterte announced that he had accepted Faeldon's resignation and named Philippine Drug Enforcement Agency chief Isidro Lapeña as his successor to the BOC's top post.
Faeldon's resignation came in the midst of the investigations being conducted by both Houses of Congress in connection with the apprehension of PHP6.4 billion worth of smuggled shabu from China last May in Bulacan. (PNA)
