Davao firm fires back, sues Customs for libel, abuse

DAVAO CITY-The small petroleum player Phoenix Petroleum Philippines Inc. fired back at the Bureau of Customs (BOC) by filing charges of grave misconduct, abuse of authority and libel against Commissioner Angelito Alvarez.

Dennis Ang Uy, president and executive officer of the company, through his lawyers, filed the cases at the Office of the Ombudsman here yesterday.

The suit stemmed from the case of alleged smuggling that the BOC filed against the firm on May 5. The bureau alleged that the company failed to pay duties and taxes for its oil imports.

Ironically, it has named Phoenix among Davao’s top three leading companies in terms of duties and taxes paid which amounted to P158,088,800. A plaque of appreciation was given to the company in February 2010.

Uy’s legal counsel, Socorro Ermac Cabreros, said the BOC could be making Phoenix a sacrificial lamb in the face of controversies of corruption confronting the agency.

“In my personal opinion, the company is being made such (sacrificial lamb) as they may be trying to cover up for something bigger,” she said.

Another counsel, Paul Montejo, said the company became vulnerable because “while it is among the small ones, it has been very aggressive and on top of the heap.”