2 Customs execs, trader cited in contempt in Senate agri smuggling probe

The Senate Committee on Agriculture, Food, and Agrarian Reform on Monday cited three more people in contempt for allegedly telling lies amid the probe into agricultural smuggling.

These individuals are Erwin Pascual, owner of EPCB Consumer Goods Training; Andrew Calixihan, Bureau of Customs Deputy Collector for Assessment in Port of Subic; and Mary Anabelle Gubaton, Customs Operations Officer III in Port of Subic.

Pascual said he registered his business under Dexter Sonza Juala, his nephew and a delivery food rider, to teach him about brokering.

However, Senate committee chairperson Francis “Kiko” Pangilinan refuted Pascual’s claims, as Juala said he was never involved with any brokers.

“In other words, Mr. Pascual is lying. He also admits to lending his license,” Pangilinan said.

“For lying before this committee we are moving to cite Mr. Pascual in contempt,” he added.

Meanwhile, Calixihan was cited in contempt for giving "misleading" statements about three trucks that transport goods from the Port of Subic on June 27, which were declared as chicken poppers but were actually carrying onions and frozen mackerel.

“You have misled this committee with your testimony regarding the three vehicles, the trucks that were released,” Pangilinan said.

“You have also been less less than forthright in claiming that the Berches [Consumer Goods and Trading] was to be delivered in [their] warehouse but Berches, on record, says they don’t have any warehouse,” he added.

Calixihan explained that his job as deputy collector for assessment is limited to supervision of the division and that he cannot oversee eveything. 

Still, Pangilinan pointed out that not be able to explain is different from lying.

The Senate agriculture committee also cited Gubaton for her “unacceptable” explanation.

She said she was unable to talk to representatives of the Department of Agriculture and was just informed by consignees representative when it is okay to conduct an examination.

“But unfortunately hindi tinaggap yung containers sa warehouse because congested yung faclity,” Gubaton said.

(But unfortunately, the containers were not accepted in the warehouse because it is already congested.)

“Isa lang yung na-underguard ko, which is yung nakapunta po sa Valenzuela,” she added.

(I was only able to underguard one, which is the one that arrived in Valenzuela.)

However, Pangilinan said none of the truck drivers met any Custom official when they left to deliver the goods.

Gubaton maintained she does know a certain “Chugs,” who the truck drivers claimed were talking to them, and told them that the Customs provided gate passes.

Gubaton, Calixihan, and Pascual were ordered to be detained in the Senate, and were told that they could submit supplemental affidavits.

Pangilinan, meanwhile, allowed Berches broker Brenda de Sagun to be temporarily released from detention to gather information regarding a certain Mr. Vicente who contracted them to import goods.

De Sagun and Lujin Ramos Tenero, another broker, were cited in contempt for alleged “untruthful” statements during the hearing on agricultural smuggling.—LDF, GMA Integrated News