Lack of funds delays probe on Imee’s smuggling charges

The ongoing investigation of smuggling charges raised by Ilocos Norte Rep. Imee Marcos against officials of the Bureau of Customs (BoC) is being hampered by a lack of funds.

This was admitted yesterday by Customs Deputy Commissioner Celso Templo, the head of the bureau’s Intelligence and Enforcement Group (IEG). He repeatedly sought extensions on the deadline for completion of the investigation requested by Marcos.

According to Marcos, a number of big-time smugglers continued to enjoy the "protection" of Customs officials.

"How can we proceed with the investigation when we don’t have the resources necessary for our surveillance and other operations? We were supposed to monitor places to watch actions of those in the list but we don’t even have radios for field agents," lamented Templo in a phone interview.

According to Templo at least P500,000 would be needed to proceed with the investigation.

Earlier, the Senate froze the BoC budget for the year until the smuggling issue could be addressed.

Because of this, Customs Commissioner Napoleon Morales said he would report the budget dilemma to the Senate. "We will look for funds for that," he said.

Several times, the BoC extended its investigation deadline on the reported smuggling operations in which ranking officials in the agency were supposedly being "protected."

According to Morales, a report cannot be submitted to the Senate until further investigation of involved companies and their ties can be completed.

Last January, Marcos accused Customs officials of protecting big-time smugglers by operating a "super green lane" for some 400 container vans in the Port of Manila.

Because of Marcos’ allegations before Congress, the Senate had temporarily suspended approval of the budget of the Department of Finance, including the BoC, until a complete list of alleged smugglers could be produced.