BOC personnel gets emotional after solon questions qualification

Emotions ran high at Wednesday's House inquiry into the P6.4-billion shabu shipment case when one lawmaker questioned the qualifications and expertise of several personnel in the Bureau of Customs (BOC).

During her interpellation, House Deputy Speaker Sharon Garin quizzed BOC officials who were involved in the creation of the implementing rules and regulations of the Customs Modernization and Traffic Act (CMTA).

Garin claimed that she had seen videos where several personnel from the BOC, including Customs Intelligence and Investigation Service director Neil Estrella and Implementing Rules and Regulations project manager Atty. Althea Acas, are seen shouting at participants of the consultative meeting for the IRR.

The lawmaker questioned the expertise of Acas, saying that her interpretation of certain provisions of the law was wrong.

"My point is, Atty. Acas, considering all of you are new here... I don't understand why put people who are in such an important position, especially the interpretation of the law, and misinterpret it deliberately?"

Acas, however, said that she was not new to the job.

"Just to clarify, I'm not a new graduate. I'm a seven-year lawyer," Acas said.

The justification of Acas irked Garin.

"I did not say that! I said there is a pattern here na madaming hindi qualified but holding key positions. I question that because even if you say you're qualified, but your issuances are wrong, that makes you unqualified!" Garin said.

"We worked hard for this law and it was supposed to give power to the Customs and respect our stakeholders -- not [to be] abused [by people like] you. But that is what we are seeing. And [which is what i meant by] we are putting people [in key positions] who are not qualified," she added.

'Oh my gosh!'

In her defense, Acas turned emotional and said she raised her voice during the consultation because some of the brokers and consolidators who attended it did not seem prepared for the event.

"He is the one who is not prepared. Why would we waste time on somebody who is not prepared. And that is to give due respect to the law that was so worked hard on by Congress," said Acas, without identifying the man she was referring to.

"He was asking basic questions... 'What's a bill of lading?' Oh my gosh! Why are you asking that in a public consultation? No," she added, as she wiped away her tears.

Atty.  Althea Acas ng BOC,  naiyak matapos masermunan ni Deputy Speaker Sharon Garin @dzbb pic.twitter.com/xu7Ffbv8ml

— Rowena L. Salvacion (@wengsalvacion) August 9, 2017

A bill of lading is a detailed list of a shipment of goods in the form of a receipt given by the carrier to the person consigning the goods.

Acas admitted feeling bad for having disappointed Rep. Garin.

"Kaya medyo nasasaktan po ako 'pag nadi-disappoint si Cong. Garin sa akin kasi she's the deputy speaker who's a woman and I don't want to disappoint her and I'm working hard, ma'am, for the CMTA," she said.

Garin reminded Acas to be more respectful to people.

"I will learn from that, Ma'am," Acas replied.

BOC members bypassed

Garin, likewise, questioned the qualification of Customs Commissioner Nicanor Faeldon's chief of staff, Atty. Mandy Anderson.

"I have no Customs background. My job is only administrative," Anderson admitted to Garin.

Aside from this, Garin also criticized the designation of 135 military men to the Special Studies and Project Development Committee, the anti-smuggling unit of the BOC.

"Andami-dami niyong qualified diyan sa BOC, kukuha kayo ng mga technical assistant sa mga military and you bypass those who are already in ranks?" she said.

"You made those people already in customs useless. Nilagay niyo ang ibang tao," she added.

In response, SSPDC head James Layug clarified that the military men were designated merely as "force multipliers." — MDM/KVD, GMA News