New Customs chief vows cooperation in onion shortage probe

MANILA, Philippines — The newly appointed chief of the Bureau of Customs (BOC) yesterday assured leaders of the House of Representatives that the agency will provide all the help it can extend to lawmakers on their investigation on the alleged shortage of agricultural products.

Customs Commissioner Bienvenido Rubio assured Quezon 2nd District Rep. David Suarez that they can provide all the necessary data for the lower chamber’s investigation on its members’ suspicions of an artificial shortage of onions.

“Can we ask for the Bureau of Customs to give us a regular update on not only onions, but also on all agricultural products that have entered our jurisdiction? Can we ask this from your agency?” Suarez said.

“Yes sir, yes Mr. Chair,” Rubio said, directly replying to Suarez and also addressing Quezon 1st District Rep. Mark Enverga, who chairs the panel.

Rubio’s remarks were in connection with the committee’s ongoing investigation on the hoarding of agricultural goods and the consequent price manipulation that caused hefty price increases on such goods.

The BOC chief served as a resource person yesterday during the briefing of members of the Development Budget Coordination Committee (DBCC) with the House committee on appropriations led by Ako Bicol party-list Rep. Zaldy Co.

Rubio, who was installed as BOC chief two weeks ago, also assured the House panel that the agency has not been remiss in its mandate against smuggling, which could be an unfortunate effect of hoarding and artificial shortages of basic commodities.

“The Bureau of Customs is relentless in our fight against smuggling, that’s why we have a lot of apprehensions now,” he said.