No evidence of payola to Customs execs, says Gordon

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

The Senate blue ribbon committee has proved the existence of a “tara,” or payola, system at the Bureau of Customs (BOC) but has been unable to gather evidence on customs officials and personnel named by Sen. Panfilo Lacson as those who allegedly received payoffs, Sen. Richard Gordon said on Tuesday.

Gordon said the committee that he chaired was suspending public hearings on the tara system but the panel could convene every quarter to get progress reports from the BOC and the Bureau of Internal Revenue on smuggling in the country’s ports.

Speaking to reporters after the hearing, Gordon said he was not clearing anyone when he stated there was no evidence that BOC officials and personnel had received payola for the speedy release of shipments without inspection or payment of the proper fees.

Faeldon et al.

Among those named by Lacson in his privilege speech last year were former Customs Commissioner Nicanor Faeldon and his five deputy commissioners.

“I did not act on it because there was nothing on it. I did not clear anybody,” Gordon said.

But he said Faeldon and other commissioners were mentioned in his committee report on the P6.4-billion “shabu” (crystal meth) shipment from China that slipped through the BOC in Manila.

“No one presented evidence because I wished Senator Lacson had come out (with evidence) but I don’t want to force him if he does not want to,” he added.

Gordon said the tara system was still in place at the BOC because Customs Commissioner Isidro Lapeña had confirmed it.

Lacson said it was Gordon’s opinion that there was no evidence on tara recipients.

Committee report

“My sources, most of whom are insiders at Customs, say otherwise. And I stand by my sources … Let’s wait for his committee report. And let’s see,” Lacson told reporters.

He said it was not his problem if Gordon was unable to gather evidence.

Lacson said he gave all the information about the tara system in his privilege speech and that “it would be easy to look for evidence if you will really look for it.”

Told that some BOC officials had denied accepting tara, he said that was expected.

“Who will acknowledge they receive tara?” he said. “They will end up in jail.”

At the hearing, Gordon gave two BOC officials the opportunity to answer Lacson’s accusations.

Deputy Commissioner Natalio Ecarma III denied that he “received, ordered or authorized anyone to collect tara in any form.”

Deputy Commissioner James Edward Dy Buco issued the same denial.