Customs command center has no DOF authority, says Alvarez

Speaker Pantaleon Alvarez on Wednesday pointed out that the establishment of the Bureau of Customs' Command Center (COMCEN) was unauthorized, as it was not part of an administrative order of the Department of Finance.

During the House inquiry into the P6.4-billion shabu shipment, Alvarez questioned Customs Commissioner Nicanor Faeldon over the COMCEN.

"Eto bang ginagawa, Comissioner Faeldon, yung ginawa ninyong Command Center, hindi ito yung dating proseso sa Customs? Am I correct? Ngayon lang ito yung panahon, yung creation ng command center?" he asked the Commissioner.

"Yes, sir," Faeldon replied.

The COMCEN is under the direct supervision of the Customs Commissioner and has the authority to issue alert orders that will allow the inspection of questionable shipments.

"Dito ba sa creation ng command center covered ba ito ng administrative order galing sa Department of Finance?" Alvarez then asked Faeldon.

Faeldon replied: "No, Sir."

This admission irked Alvarez.

"Bakit ganyan? Kasi hindi ka pupwede gumawa ng kahit anong proseso doon kung walang administrative order coming from the Secretary of Finance. You are not authorized to do it," he said.

Faeldon tried to refer the Speaker to the lawyers of the bureau to answer his question.

No one, however, was able to respond the Alvarez.

"Sige di bale na lang, okay na rin yun. Mr. Chairman, iba na lang ang magtanong," Alvarez said.

In an interview with reporters on Tuesday, Alvarez stressed the need to resolve the issue of drug smuggling in the country.

"'Yung sa akin lamang ay mas concerned ako dito sa mga legitimate issues na kung saan kailangan talagang tutukan natin, dahil yung ating pangulo ay hirap na hirap na para i-address ang ating problema sa droga at ito tayo ngayon, tons of shabu ay pinalusot ng Bureau of Customs," he said.

"At kung hindi pa tayo nag-imbestiga, nasa ilalim na lang ito ng rags," he added. —NB, GMA News