Judge abused his authority, says PASG chief

MANILA, Philippines - Presidential Anti-Smuggling Group (PASG) chief Antonio Villar yesterday criticized a Manila Regional Trial Court judge who recently ruled that the creation of his agency was unconstitutional.

Villar accused Judge Silvino Pampilo Jr. of abusing his authority and undermining the powers of the Office of the President.

Pampilo declared President Arroyo’s Executive Order 624 creating the PASG unconstitutional following a lawsuit lodged by a suspected big-time jewelry smuggler arrested by the anti-smuggling body’s agents last year.

The suspected smuggler, a British national, was identified as Alpha Kwok, who was caught with over P250 million in smuggled diamonds and jewelry. The items are now in the custody of the Bangko Sentral ng Pilipinas.

Pampilo’s ruling stated that EO 624 was tantamount to usurping the power of Congress in enacting laws and the doctrine of separation of powers of the executive and legislative branches of government.

“The decision of Pampilo was highly erroneous. He completely disregarded the Administrative Code where the President was vested the power to issue executive orders for the purpose of enhancing and improving the performance of the executive offices,” said Villar.

He added that through EO 624, “the President delegated her function to PASG to achieve simplicity, stable economy and efficiency.”

He said the PASG is assisting the Bureau of Customs in its tax collection efforts.

He clarified that PASG has not operated in Customs area, saying his group has been operating outside the ports. – Paolo Romero