2 Customs execs deny involvement in alleged corruption

Two Customs commissioners denied Tuesday their involvement in the alleged ‘tara’ or payola system in the bureau as alleged by Senator Panfilo Lacson.

Deputy Commissioners Natalio Ecarma III and Edward James Dy Buco made the denial during the resumption of the Senate blue ribbon committee hearing on the shabu smuggling and pay-off allegations.

“I categorically deny receiving or ordering anyone to collect tara in any for or will I tolerate anyone in the bureau or in the government,” said Ecarma.

He said he already met Lacson to personally deny the allegation.

Blue Ribbon panel resumes shabu smuggling/Customs tara probe. Faeldon, Lapeña, Taguba present @gmanewsbreaking pic.twitter.com/RNnyo72Zvo

— Amita O. Legaspi (@amitalegaspi) March 20, 2018

Ecarma told the committee that he intentionally distanced himself on the assessment and even recommended to then-Customs Commissioner Nicanor Faeldon to create a counter-intelligence unit against corruption in the bureau.

“I recommended that we strengthen our counter-intelligence unit and create a third party unit so that there will be a check and balance in Customs.  If i were  involved in corruption why would I push for this,” he said.

Dy Buco also denied the allegations.

“I vehemently deny the inclusion of my office and my name in corruption as mentioned in the privilege speech of Senator Lacson,” he said.

In a speech in August last year, Lacson named several Customs officials who allegedly received payola, including Faeldon. 

“The Bureau of Customs is heaven - a heaven that is a haven for crooks, criminals, malefactors, and Faeldons… sorry, I meant felons,” Lacson said. — Amita Legaspi/RSJ, GMA News