Involvement of Customs officials in ‘tara’ system still an ‘open case’ – Gordon

Sen. Richard Gordon (File photo by LYN RILLON / Philippine Daily Inquirer)

Sen. Richard Gordon has declared the alleged involvement of certain Custom officials in the so-called “tara” system an “open case” in the absence of evidence and witnesses presented during a Senate probe on the issue.

“Walang naglabas ng ebidensya eh. Kasi I wished Senator [Panfilo] Lacson had come out [with evidence]. But I don’t want to force him kung ayaw niya,” Gordon told reporters after suspending on Tuesday the Senate blue ribbon committee’s inquiry on the alleged “tara” system in the Bureau of Customs (BoC).

In a privilege speech in August last year, Lacson identified several BoC officials who had been allegedly receiving payola from smugglers.

Among those in the “tara” list were Deputy Commissioners Natalio Ecarma III and Edward James Dy Buco, both of who vehemently denied during Tuesday’s hearing the allegations against them.

READ: BOC execs tagged by Lacson deny getting bribes from smugglers

While there was evidence of the existence of “tara” in the  BoC, Gordon said Lacson did not present witnesses to back his claim.

“Kung siya [Lacson] mismo ang humarap, [and say] ito ang testigo diyan,” he said.

“That’s still an open case,” Gordon said.

But Lacson stood by his allegations, noting that most of his sources were Customs insiders.

Responding to Gordon’s statement that there was no evidence presented against the Customs officials, Lacson said: “Well that’s his problem and that’s his opinion. Kung wala siyang na-gather na ebidensya, hindi ko problema yun dahil siya ang nagko-conduct ng inquiry.”

“I gave all the information,” he added. “Nandun naman sa privilege speech at pag-conduct ng investigation. Madali namang maghanap ng ebidensya kung talagang maghahanap eh.”

Asked why again he did not attend the last hearing, the senator said: “Hindi kami makapagsalita masyado eh.” /atm