Faeldon denies receiving 'tara'

Former Customs Commissioner Nicanor Faeldon on Wednesday denied the allegations of Senator Panfilo Lacson that he was among those who received bribe money or "tara" at the bureau.

"I have not asked anybody to collect tara for me nor have I accepted any tara from anybody," Faeldon said in a text message to GMA News Online.

The former Customs chief made the statement after Lacson, in a privilege speech, named Bureau of Customs officials – which includes Faeldon – who received grease money.

The lawmaker also showed a powerpoint presentation displaying the names and photographs of Faeldon, and more than 30 other Customs officials supposedly involved in corruption.

The former Customs chief emphasized that he has not done any form of corrupt practice during the stint at the BOC.

"Again, I have not done any form of corruption in my many years of government service nor tolerated those who tried even in the form of request," Faeldon said.

"No is no," he said.
 
Faeldon called for a third party investigation into the issues hounding the bureau.

"The country will appreciate if a third party investigation by a competent body will be conducted so that justice will be served," he said.

"Just like the honorable Senator Lacson and the Filipino people, I want the truth to come out," he added. — VDS, GMA News