Most of Discayas’ luxury cars have unpaid duties, taxes - BOC

The Bureau of Customs (BOC) said that most of the luxury cars owned by Discayas under its custody have no records of paid duties and taxes.

“These are really red flags, if you have doubtful import entries, if you have lacking documents that would prove payment of duties and taxes, it gives that strong presumption that these items are smuggled,” said BOC Deputy Chief of Staff Chris Bendijo in Jun Veneracion’s exclusive report in “24 Oras” on Monday. 

The bureau warned that the vehicles could be impounded if proven that they have unpaid duties and taxes. But those with proper documentation could be released immediately, the report added. 

Further, Customs will investigate how some of the luxury cars were released if they have unpaid taxes and how it was possible for the vehicles to be registered with the Land Transportation Office. 

“Sinabi naman ng ating Commissioner na ang imbestigasyon na ito ay walang sasantuhin. Kung mayroon sa aming hanay ang kailangan managot, mayroon silang responsibilidad sa nangyaring smuggling, sa pagkaka-rehistro gamit ang pekeng dokumento, mananagot din sila,” said Bendijo. 

(Our Commissioner said that this investigation will spare no one. If there is anyone in our ranks who needs to be held accountable, if they have a responsibility for the smuggling that happened, for the registration using fake documents, they will also be held accountable.)

Meanwhile, the Department of Budget and Management’s (DBM) Procurement Service cancelled the Philippine Government Electronic Procurement System (PhilGEPS) membership of the nine construction companies linked to Sarah Discaya. 

This means that the firms will no longer be eligible to participate in the procurement projects of the government. 

The DBM is also planning to cancel the PhilGEPS membership of other companies linked to anomalous flood control projects. — Vince Angelo Ferreras/RF, GMA Integrated News