Escudero denies knowing Customs political patrons

Sen. Francis Escudero INQUIRER PHOTO/DELFIN T. MALLARI JR./INQUIRER SOUTHERN LUZON

MANILA, Philippines—Senator Francis “Chiz” Escudero, who is pushing for a Senate  inquiry into the  alleged “padrino system” in the Bureau of Customs (BoC),  denied a colleague’s claim that  he knows the identities of political  patrons in the bureau.

“No. Maybe he knows),”  Escudero said during a regular forum at the Senate on Thursday,  when sought to comment on Senator Antonio  “Sonny” Trillanes  IV’s  claim that  he  already  knew  who were  the people behind the alleged political patronage practice at the BoC.

“And I don’t want to accuse  anyone without basis.   My only basis is hearsay.  Hearsay–  somebody  told me this and that. Hearsay. As a lawyer,   I don’t  accuse (without basis).  What I know was just hearsay, which also came from you,” he said.

But Trillanes did not buy Escudero’s statements.

“That’s a laugh,”  said Trillanes  in a text message.
It was during an interview with reporters  Tuesday that Trillanes wondered  why there was a need for the Senate  to investigate the “padrino system” in the  BoC when President  Benigno Aquino III  himself and  Escudero, who  called for an inquiry,  already  knew the people involved.

Trillanes though said he would support and participate in the inquiry if the Senate would push for it.

But Escudero reiterated that he was pushing for the investigation to  allow those being accused   in the media, including some senators, to clear their names and  face  their accusers .

“Another reason why I want a hearing is that because not   all phone calls are bad. What if a constituent of a congressman is complaining that he is being  extorted by  a customs employee?   Doesn’t he have a right to call and report it?” he said.

“Not all calls  are  bad or illegal. That’s part of the  oversight function of Congress and  the Senate  to ensure  that  their employees are doing their job,” Escudero said.