BOC hires basketball, volleyball players as intel agents, technical assistants

The Bureau of Customs (BOC) has allegedly hired at least 28 professional basketball and volleyball players in various positions at the agency, in order to play for their sports team.

Batangas Rep. Raneo Abu showed a copy of Customs Special Order No. 58 series of 2016 during Wednesday's House inquiry into the P6.4-billion worth of shabu illegally transported to the country from China.

The document showed a list of 28 "Customs personnel," known for their background in basketball and volleyball, though some of the names had different spellings.

Ang mga basketball at volleyball players ay kinuha bilang technical assistants ng BOC pero inilaban umano sa liga ng isang TV station. @dzbb pic.twitter.com/hPoU8teUOm

— Rowena L. Salvacion (@wengsalvacion) August 3, 2017

Commissioner Nicanor Faeldon's chief of staff Atty. Mandy Anderson was "authorized to sign [their] daily time record."

Anderson recently made the news after calling Speaker Pantaleon Alvarez an "imbecile" and accusing him of threatening her, through his staff, for not promoting a Customs officer the Speaker allegedly favored. Alvarez denied lobbying for the employee's promotion.

In an interview with reporters on Thursday, Abu said Faeldon admitted to him that the players were indeed hired by the BOC.

"Kinumpirma sa akin kagabi na kinuha daw nila," Abu said.

GMA News Online is still trying to reach the individuals on the BOC list.

Faeldon's admission came as a surprise to Abu as the BOC has consistently said they would reform its structure.

"Nagulat kami na minsan sinabi ni Commissioner Faeldon, ang ating mga kukunin na tao ay makakatulong natin para sa pagrereporma natin nitong Bureau of Customs," he said.

"Ngayon, from nowhere, may nagpadala sa akin na mga dokumento kung sino yung mga hinire. Nagulat ako na nag-hire pala ito ng mga empleyado na siya naming nakakalaban noon sa UNTV [Cup]," he added.

The UNTV Cup is a charity basketball game which features teams from various government agencies.

"Gusto kong malaman kung ano bang qualification, kung ito ba ay makakatulong sa pagpapataas ng antas ng panunungkulan sa BOC," he added.

Abu said Faeldon also told him that the players were hired as "intelligence agents" and "technical assistants."

Abu said he had requested the BOC for the 201 files of the said employees.

"Kapag nakita natin na hindi qualified, ipatatawag natin ang Civil Service Commission at ipabubusisi natin 'yan," he said. — MDM, GMA News