Customs official goes on leave

Manila, Philippines - A Customs official in charge of a sub-port in Cagayan de Oro City through which cars from the United States were believed to have been smuggled has gone on a 30-day leave of absence.

Customs Commissioner Angelito Alvarez said yesterday Lowell Medija, Mindanao International Container Terminal (MICT) head, went on leave so as not to influence the investigation that would be conducted on him.

“If there is any suspicion that he committed any wrongdoing he is willing to face investigation,” he said.

Once Medija completes his 30-day leave, he might be transferred to another office, Alvarez said.

Horacio Suansing, deputy commissioner for enforcement, said Ernilito Aquino has been named officer-in-charge of the MICT.

“The MICT is a containerized sub-port in Cagayan de Oro,” he said.

“It can handle containers so some people, especially those in Congress, are thinking that this is the only port where the hot cars might have entered.”

Suansing said before the news on the hot cars from the US broke out, Medija’s wealth was reportedly already being questioned before the Office of the Ombudsman.

“The Department of Finance-Revenue Integrity Protection Service (RIPS) has already filed a case against Medija before the Office of the Ombudsman,” he said.

“They are questioning his wealth. There are reports that he has mansions and cars,” said Cagayan de Oro Rep. Jose Benjamin Benaldo who has proposed that Medija undergo a lifestyle check on allegations that he is living beyond his means.

Alvarez has instructed the Internal Inquiry and Prosecution Division to conduct its own investigation.