Ombudsman orders probe of Customs personnel

Photo from the Bureau of Customs

MANILA, Philippines — The Office of the Ombudsman has ordered an investigation of the officials and employees of the Bureau of Customs (BOC) over their alleged involvement in graft and corrupt practices.

Last Thursday, July 18, President Rodrigo Duterte met with more than 50 Customs personnel in Malacañang after they had been relieved from their post for alleged corruption.

READ: Duterte meets relieved Customs employees in Macalañang

READ: 64 Customs personnel on Duterte’s chopping block

In a statement issued on Wednesday, the Office of the Ombudsman said it might suspend or dismiss from service those proven guilty of grave misconduct, gross neglect of duty or conduct prejudicial to the interest of the service.

Those who would be dismissed woold face accessory penalties such as disqualification from holding public office, forfeiture of retirement benefits, and prohibition from taking the civil service examination or cancellation of eligibility.

Citing the Ombudsman Act of 1989 (Republic Act No. 6770), the statement said “the Ombudsman as protector of the people, may investigate and prosecute on its own or on complaint by any person, any act or omission of any public officer or employee, office or agency, when such act or omission appears to be illegal, unjust, improper or inefficient.”

In his State of the Nation Address (Sona) last Monday, July 22, the President praised the BOC for its collection but then noted the corruption within its ranks.

“Bureau of Customs, though corruption-ridden, managed to collect P585 billion in 2018,” he said. “Imagine what more could have been collected if the BOC had been clean and less corrupt.”

READ: Duterte praises ‘corruption-ridden’ BOC for collecting P585-B

/atm