Senator Panfilo Lacson (left) and former Customs chief Nicanor Faeldon INQUIRER FILE PHOTOS
“Why don’t you just tell the public about the smuggling activities of your son?”
This was how resigned Customs Chief Nicanor Faeldon fired back on Tuesday at Senator Panfilo Lacson, after the latter reiterated that Faeldon had received P107 million “pasalubong” or welcome gift supposedly based on Customs chief Isidro Lapeña’s accounts..
“Instead of tiring accusations, why don’t you just tell the public about your smuggling activities, through your son Pampi Lacson, Jr., in particular Bonjorno Trading’s 67 cement importations in 14 months, in the aggregate sum of P4.5 billion,” Faeldon said in a statement posted on Twitter.
He also said Lacson’s allegations were “baseless” since “zero evidence” were ever produced by the senator whom he accused of “cowardly hide(ing) behind parliamentary immunity.”
“That has been the tired and tiring modus operandi of this smuggler’s dad, who the public well remembers to have self-confessed to being obsessed (nahuhumaling) with Capt. Faeldon,” he added.
Faeldon even challenged Lacson to file complaints against him before the courts.
“If you truly believe your own propaganda, Sen. Lacson, the courts are open. File all the cases your obsessed mind can imagine. Let the courts decide,” the resigned official added.
Lacson had already filed economic sabotage, graft and grave misconduct before the Office of the Ombudsman against Faeldon for allegedly allowing the release of P34.04 million worth of rice in Cagayan de Oro last May despite lack of permits and payment of duties.
READ: Lacson sues Faeldon for rice smuggling
In an earlier interview over ABS-CBN News Channel, Lacson reiterated his accusations that Faeldon received “welcome gift” upon assuming his position at the Bureau of Customs (BOC).
READ: Holy mackerel! Lacson bares Faeldon got P100-M ‘pasalubong’
It was current BOC chief Isidro Lapena who informed him of this, the senator said.
“No less than Commissioner Lapeña testified. He confirmed that there’s indeed the pasalubong money and he confided to me: ‘Sir, hindi P100 million yung kay Faeldon, P107 (million) yung inabot,” the senator said in an interview over ABS-CBN News Channel’s “Headstart” on Tuesday morning. /jpv
READ: Lapeña divulged ‘P107M welcome gift’ to Faeldon – Lacson