BOC has option to destroy unsold Discaya luxury vehicles

The Bureau of Customs (BOC) has the option to destroy the luxury vehicles of contractors Curlee and Sarah Discaya should it remain unsold in the upcoming auction, an official said Monday.

The BOC recently held an auction for seven of the couple’s seized vehicles. Three were sold while four units will be auctioned again on December 5.

“Remember that aside from the disposition based on sale, we can still resort to condemnation or sirain na lang talaga ‘yung mga vehicles na ‘yan. So that’s still an available option,” Chris Bendijo, BOC deputy chief of staff, said in a briefing.

However, Bendijo said that Customs Commissioner Ariel Nepomuceno wants to generate revenue for the government.

“Although, the inclination of Commissioner Ariel is to convert it to revenue. Kasi considering the state of our country, we need more of a budget rather than destroying the forfeited items,” he said.

He said the BOC is targeting to get P50 million in revenue for the remaining luxury vehicles up for auction.

Meanwhile, Bendijo said that the Bureau of Internal Revenue (BIR) has issued a notice of restraint and levy.

“We were also in receipt of that notice and it’s commanding the BOC to turn over properties of the Discayas to the BIR. So I think it will be coordinated with the BIR because they have to take custody over the 17 pa na remaining,” he said.

The Independent Commission for Infrastructure held a technical working group meeting to discuss ongoing inter-agency coordination efforts on asset recovery.

It was attended by the BOC, BIR, the Department of Justice, the Department of Public Works and Highways, among others. —RF, GMA Integrated News