Lapeña faces graft and corruption case over missing tiles

Former Customs chief Isidro Lapeña (File photo by JAM STA. ROSA / Philippine Daily Inquirer)

The National Bureau of Investigation (NBI) filed on Monday a complaint for graft and corruption against former Customs Commissioner Isidro Lapeña for the disappearance of the 105 containers of ceramic tiles at the Bureau of Customs (BOC) last March.

In a 35-page complaint filed before the Department of Justice, the NBI recommended that Lapeña be prosecuted for violation of the Anti-Graft and Corrupt Practices Act, Republic Act No. 3019.

“Aside from allegation of undue injury to the government, Lapeña was also charged with having given unwarranted benefit, advantage or preference to private suppliers,” read the complaint.

The NBI also recommended that Lapeña be administratively charged for gross neglect of duty and grave misconduct.

Last March 17, the Office of the District Collector discovered that 105 containers were illegally released without clearance.

It was supposed to be subjected to a 100 percent physical examination and only Lapeña, who was then Customs chief, could allow the release.

The missing containers were eventually recovered in several warehouses in Bulacan.

Lapaña had already been transferred to the Technical Education and Skils Development Authority (Tesda). /atm