Vice Mayor Duterte says BOC leaning on Davao City firm
DAVAO CITY-Davao City Vice Mayor Rodrigo Duterte smells something fishy behind the filing of smuggling and tax evasion cases by the Bureau of Customs (BOC) against Davao City-based Phoenix Petroleum Philippines Inc.
In his weekly TV program “Gikan Sa Masa Para Sa Masa” on Sunday, the feisty local executive declared that the smuggling and tax evasion cases were filed against Phoenix because of its refusal to be bought out by its competitors.
Duterte said it was Dennis Uy, Phoenix president and chief executive officer, who told him that two companies wanted to buy out the city-based independent petroleum company, but Uy refused.
Uy reportedly said the two companies have connections with top BOC officials.
“Why force someone to sell his company if he does not want to?” Duterte asked. Phoenix officials opted not to comment on Duterte’s statement.
Lawyer Raymond T. Zorilla, Phoenix assistant vice president for external affairs, said the company has yet to receive a copy of the case.
But a source close to Phoenix, who asked not to be named for lack of authority to speak on the matter, confirmed Duterte’s statement.
Duterte made the statement after Uy reportedly asked his help after his company was accused of failing to pay P5 billion in taxes for importation of oil products.
Duterte assured Uy of his help provided the imported products were “clean” even as he dared Phoenix to seek an independent investigation to clear its name.
Uy assured Duterte, in return, that Phoenix did not commit any violation.
Duterte, however, said he was surprised why BOC’s announcement of the case came before its actual filing.
On Jan. 11, Customs Commissioner Angelito Alvarez had lauded the company for submitting itself to voluntary tax assessmen,t and paying P8.7 million in dues.
Last week, Customs broker Jorlan Cabanes filed a complaint at the Office of the Ombudsman against Alvarez and Deputy Commissioner Gregorio Chavez for accusing him of conspiring to smuggle oil products with Phoenix.
Cabanes, of Seadove Maritime Services Inc., described as malicious and baseless the accusations made by Alvarez and Chavez.
On Tuesday, Uy, through his lawyers, also sued the Customs officials at the Ombudsman.
Ironically, BOC named Phoenix as among Davao’s top three leading companies in terms of duties and taxes paid which amounted to 158,088,800 in 2010. A plaque of appreciation was even given to them last year.
Phoenix is the second company to suffer under BOC.
The first was the Acquarius Container Yard in Sasa Port Area, Davao City, operated by Rodolfo Reta, which was closed by BOC after reporting the smuggling of rice last year.
