Senate probe of smuggled Bugatti Chiron sports cars pushed

Sen. Sherwin Gatchalian (File photo from the Senate Social Media Unit)

MANILA, Philippines — Sen. Sherwin Gatchalian has called for an inquiry into the smuggling into the country of two Bugatti Chiron sports cars worth millions of pesos to address revenue leakage.

In his proposed Senate Resolution No. 954, Gatchalian said an investigation would enable the government to assess the scale of the problem, enhance border control measures, deploy cutting-edge methods and technologies to combat car smuggling, and address tax leakages.

The subjects of the impending Senate probe include a blue Bugatti (license plate NIM 5448) and a red Bugatti (license plate NIM 5450) that were allegedly imported without payment of the required tariffs and taxes.

The Bureau of Customs (BOC) earlier conducted an investigation and issued a warrant of seizure on the two undocumented sports cars, reportedly worth P165 million each before customs duties and taxes.

READ: BOC hunts 2 alleged smuggled Bugatti cars in Metro Manila, Cavite

At 50 percent excise tax, the government should have collected P165 million from the importation of the vehicles, Gatchalian said.

The sports cars were surrendered to the BOC on Feb. 9 and Feb. 21.

— TINA G. SANTOS