Lacson denies Faeldon’s claims: Why will I expose BOC corruption if my son is cheating on taxes?

Senator Panfilo Lacson on Thursday denied the allegation of former Customs Commissioner Nicanor Faeldon that his son is involved in smuggling billions of pesos worth of cement.

In a statement, Lacson said it does not make sense for him to expose the corruption at the Bureau of Customs (BOC) if there is any truth to Faeldon’s claims.

“First, I have nothing to do with my son's business activities;  second, there is no smuggling of cement as it is not subject to customs tariff and duties but only subject to VAT, which my son said when I checked with him just now, they always pay; third, he should have filed charges against my son if he now says, he's (Pampi) into smuggling,” Lacson said.

“Fourth, it doesn't make sense that I will expose the shenanigans in the BOC, if my son is cheating on taxes as Faeldon is now accusing him of. The logical thing for me to do is not to make the exposé and just keep quiet,” he added.

Lacson said he will be the first to castigate his son if he has committed any wrongdoing.

“For the record, I have always reminded my son to be on the level in whatever business dealings he would have because if not, I'll be the first one to castigate him and even initiate filing of charges against him,” he said.

Earlier in the day, Faeldon accused  Lacson’s son, Panfilo “Pampi” Lacson Jr., of being involved in big-time smuggling.

Faeldon said Lacson Jr. only had P20,000 in capital but his company — Bonjourno — was able to import 4.6 billion pesos’ worth of cement in 67 shiploads.

He also alleged that Lacson Jr. wanted to pay only 50 percent of his freight cost.

Faeldon added that according to the Cement Manufacturers' Association of the Philippines, Bonjourno is the biggest cement smuggler.

The accusations came after Lacson delivered a privilege speech at the Senate naming Faeldon and other Customs officials as among those allegedly receiving “tara” or bribes. — RSJ/KVD, GMA News