Amid 'hot' car mess, Noy wants reforms in Bureau of Customs

MANILA, Philippines -  President Aquino yesterday called on the Bureau of Customs (BOC) to explain how luxury vehicles and motorcycles have been smuggled into the country. 

Aquino told reporters in Davao City after the 104th annual convention of the Philippine Medical Association that he could not understand why a foreign law enforcement agency would have to alert the Philippines about the alleged smuggling.

Aquino warned he would implement drastic changes in the BOC in two months for its lackluster performance.

“As regards Customs, we are constantly reviewing their performance, I was talking with (Finance) Secretary (Cesar) Purisima (on Tuesday) and if you just look at the raw data, the collections have really increased. But I am not satisfied,” Aquino said.

Aquino noted the reports involving a car dealer in Mindanao suspected to have smuggled luxury vehicles and motorcycles unnoticed by the BOC. 

“Here in Mindanao, there was this issue on vehicles and motorcycles (being smuggled) and the first statement from Customs was that they did not know how these got in here. Of course, they are the ones guarding the entry of these products, why did they not know what happened?” he asked.

Aquino was irked by reports that the US Federal Bureau of Investigation (FBI) made notice of the number of luxury vehicles and motorcycles allegedly smuggled by businessman Lynard Allan Bigcas.

The FBI had asked the National Bureau of Investigation (NBI) to help in locating a high-end motorcycle owned by Hollywood screenwriter Skip Woods. The motorcycle was later seen in Cagayan de Oro City being ridden by Bigcas. 

With the help of the FBI, local authorities seized over 25 luxury vehicles and motorcycles from Bigcas during raids in Bukidnon and Cagayan de Oro City last May 4.

“Why do foreigners have to be the one to tell us the crimes that are happening here? So we have been discussing steps that are supposed to improve the Customs service. You can expect us, in about two months, to make known the changes that will be (implemented),” Aquino said.

The raiding lawmen also seized a number of high-powered firearms, ammunition and a supposed black book from Bigcas containing a list of contacts.

Bigcas emerged after a week in hiding and denied the allegations of smuggling and claimed the black book seized from him was his journal.

During the hearing at the House of Representatives, the names of a governor, two mayors and a Customs official were among those listed in the black book.

Deputy presidential spokesperson Abigail Valte said Malacañang is supporting the investigation, including personnel from the BOC.

The BOC said they are looking into the possibility that Bigcas violated Customs regulations when he shipped the motorcycles in parts without paying taxes.

BOC Deputy Commissioner for Enforcement Horacio Suansing Jr. said Bigcas reportedly admitted that he did not pay taxes for some of the imported “chop chop” motorcycles and spare parts that he brought into the country from the US.

Suansing said there might be evidence to hold Bigcas liable for violating Customs laws because the value of the goods contained in the balikbayan boxes should have been declared for proper assessment by a Customs personnel.

“Although it’s not a containerized shipment, which falls under formal entry, it is still a consolidated shipment,” he said.

Considering the bulk of the balikbayan shipment, it should have been categorized as one container containing many balikbayan boxes with different consignees, he added.

Bigcas reportedly claimed that he was not aware that he had to pay duties since balikbayan boxes are tax-exempt.

Bigcas reportedly said he was not aware that 11 of the 20 SUVs and motorcycles seized by the authorities from him were stolen in the US. Some of the vehicles had been registered with the Land Transportation Office (LTO). 

However, the BOC said the registration was improper for lack of a certificate of payment (CP) to prove payment of duties and taxes of the vehicle. Suansing said there was no proof of payment of the imported vehicles.   – With Evelyn Macairan