Palace backs PASG's continued operations

MANILA, Philippines - Malacañang gave yesterday its full backing to the continued operations of the Presidential Anti-Smuggling Group (PASG), whose creation was declared unconstitutional by a Manila court.

Presidential spokesman Ricardo Saludo said Malacañang respects the decision of Manila Regional Trial Court Judge Silvino Pampilo declaring President Arroyo’s Executive Order 624 creating PASG as unconstitutional but it must be final and executory.

“The President and the government are really determined to push our efforts to fight smuggling,” Saludo told a news briefing.

Justice Secretary and acting Solicitor General Alberto Agra told a radio interview yesterday that he would immediately file a motion for reconsideration once his office receives a copy of the ruling.

“Smuggling is a form of stealing tax money and jobs,” Saludo said, adding that the revenue lost to smuggling deprives the government of funds for projects.

He said the government imposes duties and tariffs to protect local industries from undue competition from imports.

Saludo noted that the decision was triggered by a case filed against suspected big-time jewelry smuggler Alpha Kwok.

“Jewelry is heavily taxed, being a luxury. We have a lot of small businesses making jewelry, so you could imagine what happens if there is jewelry smuggling here,” he said.

Saludo added the agency has also been successful in intercepting illegal drugs being brought in to the country.

Patawaran warned that the ruling would allow Kwok to claim over P250 million in smuggled diamonds and jewelry stored in the Bangko Sentral ng Pilipinas.