Resigned Faeldon urged: Spill the beans on BOC corruption
CUstoms Commissioner Nicanor Faeldon INQUIRER.net FILE PHOTO
Now that his resignation was finally accepted by President Rodrigo Duterte, Nicanor Faeldon is being urged to spill the beans on alleged corruption in the Bureau of Customs (BOC) even in the face of drug charges following the House inquiry into the P6.4-billion shabu shipment.
In a press conference on Tuesday, Magdalo Rep. Gary Alejano called on his former colleague in the Magdalo to name the lawmakers whom Faeldon earlier alleged are influence peddlers in the Customs bureau.
READ: Faeldon apologizes for influence-peddling claim but stands his ground
Faeldon divulged alleged influence peddling in the bureau following a rift between the bureau and Speaker Pantaleon Alvarez, who was criticized by a customs lawyer on social media for lobbying the promotion of a favored official in the customs bureau.
READ: Speaker denies ‘padrino’ in lobbying for ‘overqualified’ Customs official
“This is the right time to expose sino ba ang corrupt na yan. Sinasabi mo kahit sino yan, senador, congressman, iniimpluwensiya ang Customs, this is the right time,” Alejano said.
Alejano said Faeldon should name names, especially with the unnerving silence of the government on who’s behind the P6.4 billion shabu shipment that slipped through the BOC’s green lane.
“I would have wanted Faeldon to spill the beans. Dapat ilabas niya ang lahat, hindi pwedeng ganun na lang, lalo na yung sa likod ng shipment na yan. Dahil up to now, wala tayong naririnig kung sino bang nasa likod na yan,” Alejano said, citing the alleged involvement of the President’s son Davao City Mayor Paolo Duterte on the alleged “Davao group” in the customs bureau.
However, after last week’s hearing at the Senate, Blue Ribbon Committee chair Senator Richard Gordon and committee member Sen. Tito Sotto believe that there’s not enough evidence to prove that Davao City Vice Mayor Duterte has direct involvement in the shipment of P6.4 billion worth of drugs.
READ: ‘Not enough evidence to link Paolo Duterte to shabu shipment’
Alejano earlier confirmed that Faeldon was a member of the Magdalo during the Oakwood mutiny, and was removed from the group after Faeldon escaped from detention as the mutineers faced rebellion charges in court.
His escape created a rift between him and the Magdalo, Alejano earlier said in a press conference.
READ: Fellow Magdalo mutineer won’t vouch for Faeldon
Before his resignation, Faeldon faced increasing calls by President Duterte’s allies to step down for his command responsibility on the P6.4-billion drug shipment that slipped through the BOC’s green lane, which was the subject of a House inquiry in aid of legislation.
In a phone interview with Inquirer, Surigao Del Norte Rep. Robert Ace Barbers said the dangerous drugs committee he chairs is wrapping up its report on its probe into the drug shipment.
READ: PDEA exec: BOC broke protocol in handling seized drugs
He said that the committee in its report may recommend the filing of charges against Faeldon and other customs officials for violations of Republic Act 9165 or the Comprehensive Dangerous Drugs Act.
“If they are liable either from criminal and administrative cases against them, we will recommend that,” Barbers said.
Barbers lauded the “good move” of the President to replace “incompetent” Faeldon with Philippine Drug Enforcement Agency (PDEA) Director Isidro Lapeña to head the Customs bureau.
“I guess that’s a pretty good move for the President para yung mga tao niya sa loob na matitino, hindi ma-demoralize… The President has replaced him with somebody close to the President and enjoys his full trust and confidence,” Barbers said.
READ: Faeldon: Relief from Customs is ‘best for country’
