Faeldon fires back, accuses Lacson son cement smuggler

Nicanor Faeldon INQUIRER.net File Photo

(Updated 11:42, Aug. 24) Resigned Customs Commissioner Nicanor Faeldon fired back at Senator Panfilo Lacson on Thursday, accusing the latter’s son of “smuggling billions-worth of cement” into the country.

Faeldon, in a televised press conference, alleged that the Bureau of Customs (BOC) has uncovered alleged billions worth of 67 shipment of “smuggled” cements belonging to a company named Bonjourno, owned by Lacson’s son and namesake, Panfilo Lacson Jr.

The smuggled shipments, Faeldon said, were reported to him last July 12, 13, and 15.

“Ang total ng tatlong barko in just three days ay P106 million. Ang may ari nito, (I checked it today). Remember, I have alerted na ni-report sa akin, pumunta run nagpakilala ang may ari ay si Panfilo Lacson Jr.,” Faeldon said.

(The total of three ships in just three days is P106 million. The owner of this, I checked it today. Remember, I have alerted when it was reported to me, the owner went there and introduced himself as Panfilo Lacson Jr.)

The Commissioner said the shipments were undervalued by less than 50 percent since Lacson’s son allegedly paid $8 per metric ton when the prevailing market price was between $16 to $20.

“Syempre this is smuggling. Less than 50 percent ba naman ang babayaran mo sa duties mo e di smuggling yan…” he said.

(Of course this is smuggling. Less than 50 percent was about to be paid for duties, so that’s smuggling)

After checking the background of Bonjourno, Faeldon said the BOC found that it only had a paid up capital of P20,000 in 2015.

“Paano nya ma-afford ang P106 million in just three days?” he asked. “Tatlong barko ng shipment but ladies and gentlemen, tatlong barko pa lang ito na shipment.”

(How can he afford P106 million in just three days? Three ships of shipment but ladies and gentlemen, these are only initially three ships.)

“Pina checked ko sa system namin, since I assumed office, 67 na barko ang pinarating ni Ping Lacson Jr. Billion po ang halaga nyan. Ngayon yung sinasabi ni Sen. Lacson na may mga player, tanungin ko to sa’yo Sen. Ping Lacson: Player ka ba?”

(I had it checked in our system and since I assumed office, about 67 ships Ping Lacson Jr. had already shipped. This is worth a billion. Now, what Sen. Lacson is saying that there was a player, I should ask you this Sen. Ping Lacson: Are you a player?)

“Ito ang kinatatakutan mo Sir, kasi we are nearing, we are getting close to getting you to exposing you. We have now evidence …” the Commissioner added.

(This is what you should worry about sir, because we are nearing, we are getting close to getting you to exposing you. We have now evidence…)

Faeldon also claimed that Lacson’s son had personally brought money to the Custom’s office, in what he said an apparent attempt to bribe his staff.

“Nagdala ng pera si Panfilo Lacson Jr… Matagal na po yang importer… Ano’ng big sabihin nito? Is he trying to bribe my staff?” he said.

(Panfilo Lacson Jr. brought money… He’s a long-time importer… What’s the meaning of this? Is he trying to bribe my staff?)

“They wan’t me out of (the) Bureau of Customs because they don’t want this to come out,” Faeldon added.

The INQUIRER.net is still trying to get the reaction of Senator Lacson regarding the latest accusation of Faeldon.

Faeldon held a press conference following a Senate privilege speech of Lacson accusing the resigned Customs chief of receiving P100 million in “pasalubong.” JPV