What is your comment on the proposed 'drawer-less tables' for Bureau of Customs employees?

L. Villa, Batac City: It’s a good start to fight corruption at the BOC. It’s good to know that insiders are the ones exposing anomalies in their office. We can now hope for genuine change.

Rey Ibalan, Antipolo City: The idea is childish and crazy. Big-time bribe money in the BOC is discreetly given to corrupt officials or directly deposited in the banks.

Set up a CCTV camera instead

Ric Vergara, Calamba:  If we are serious about solving this problem, I recommend the installation of a CCTV surveillance system at the Bureau of Customs. Pati CR lagyan dahil ang kakapal ng mga yan.

C.B. Manalastas, Manila: Kalokohan and inhuman. An employee’s working table is often an extension of his house where he stores his office and personal things. If the aim is to deter lagayan and corruption, why not set-up a CCTV camera instead?

Edwin Chinel Monares, Rizal: It doesn’t make sense. Instead, put a CCTV that can be viewed and accessed by the public on TV and radio so that their operations could be viewed publicly.

Pedro Alagano Sr., Vigan City: It’s a ridiculous idea. It may be more subtle if CCTV cameras are strategically and discreetly mounted throughout the Customs office, to be religiously monitored 24/7 by independent personalities, in order to catch the “crocs” and/or to discourage would-be offenders. Another option would be to place them under lifestyle checks and those who fail should be prosecuted, their ill-gotten wealth forfeited in favor of Juan dela Cruz.

Richard Decena, Quezon City: Bukod po sa drawer-less tables, dapat may nakatutok na camera sa lahat na kawani kasama ang janitor at komisyoner at ipalabas na live sa government station.

Germi Sison, Cabanatuan City: Drawer-less tables with CCTV could pose a deterrent to BOC employees and the transacting public to keep from committing anomalies. Complementing this measure with a continuous lecture on moral principles and spiritual values every Monday morning during the flag ceremony by credible authorities will convict everybody to observe honesty by heart. Let us pray that this step be the foundation of an upright culture spreading in our society.

It’s a ridiculous idea

R. Los Baños, Las Piñas City: How do you address under-the-table deals? By giving table-less workstations. What I’m saying is this is a ridiculous idea.

Jim Veneracion, Naga City: Drawer-less table is too petty and this will not stop the Jurassic crocs at the BOC, pero, ano ang ginagawa ng mga bulsa ng mga buwayang ito.

Rey Onate, Palayan City:

Sorry and not to sound too brutal but the idea is too childish. E di wala na lang la mesa, wala pang gastos. The idea is good for editorial cartoons.

Why single out BOC employees?

Ernesto Oliquiano, Las Piñas City: This is a good proposal, but why single out Bureau of Customs employees? What about employees of other government agencies, national and local, who are in direct contact with the transacting public, such as the BIR, ROD, Immigration, LTO, LRC, DPWH, etc. However, I don’t think it will totally solve corruption in the bureaucracy. The ingenuity of Filipinos is such that they can think of other ways to get what they want. I’ve seen it personally in one government office in a nearby province. The employees’ drawers were not open but they have a trashcan beside them where the transacting public drops envelopes. For me, the only way that the government can stop corruption is to show to one and all that it is serious in cleaning the bureaucracy of corruption. Make their operation more efficient, dismiss and prosecute those found to be into some shenanigans. If the public can be convinced that this administration is serious in their intention to clean their ranks, I’m sure that they will be encouraged to report anomalies that they might see in any government agency.

Lydia Reyes, Bataan: Why single out the Bureau of Customs only? Why not all government agencies? This will minimize the system of lagayan.

Armando Tavera, Las Piñas City: That would be a great idea, but the said proposal should also be applied to other government financial institutions like the BIR.

Elpidio Que, Vigan: The move to have drawer-less tables for BOC employees is only for the comics section. It cannot cut the opportunity for bribery among economic pirates like smugglers and tax evaders with a propensity for bribery. And if that is to be pushed, why single out BOC when the BIR and DPWH are equally guilty of receiving colossal bribery money?

A practical way to curb corruption

Tony Gomez, Parañaque City: It’s a practical way to curb corruption, but watch out for the wastebasket beside. Crooks have a way of solving problems.

Ella Arenas, Pangasinan: A very good idea. It’s one way of minimizing, if not eradicating, corruption. If they still do it, then talagang kapalmuks na sila at mahigpit ang pangangailangan.

Dennis Montealto, Mandaluyong City: How about a transparent table, perhaps? :-) Any move, option, initiative, strategy, deterrent that could minimize, if not totally eradicate, corruption is welcome.

Miguelito Herrera, Cabanatuan City: It would really be an effective mechanism to fight corruption that is truly endemic in that bureau. I hope it materializes if this administration is really bent on changing the business-as-usual attitude of crocodiles in government.

Dr. Dennis Acop, Baguio City:  If having drawer-less tables will help Bureau of Customs employees stay away from corruption, then so be it. Let us have such tables all the way up to the BOC Commissioners. I have a number of comments, though. First, will the move really solve the problem or will it only make the corruptible think of alternative means? Second, does the perceived corrective action zero in on the right target or is it merely focusing on the wrong objective or simply a peripheral one? For instance, is the issue behind the practice merely the corruptible character of people or is it the insufficient take-home pay of employees coupled with a lax system? Third, why don’t we first let the BOC leadership explain why it is unable to curtail corruption within the bureau, and why don’t we fire them if they cannot explain themselves well to the public’s satisfaction? And may I add that this basic public administration principle applies to all public posts. Finally, this drastic proposal is a huge insult to the BOC leadership. Had I been one of them, I would have simply resigned in shame.

It’s useless, drawers are merely for balato

Rodolfo Talledo, Angeles City: Big money is transacted in banks and posh restaurants. Only loose coins in the form of “balato” or “padulas” goes into the drawers.

Estrella Rico, La Union: The proposed drawer-less tables will be useless because grease money is mostly talked about over a cup of coffee outside the office and fixed right then and there under the coffee table. And there are cellphones, too, by the way. Hello?

Arvin Padual, Quezon City: The proposed drawer-less tables for Bureau of Customs employees is ridiculous because graft and corruption happens even outside the confines of a government office.

V. Vela, Metro Manila: Drawer-less tables? We can take out every fixture and gadget in the office but acts of graft and corruption will linger for the cheat will always find a way. It is the character, the culture of the people that make and unmake a crime. How you build that character is a long process, especially in this country where even the basics of good manners and right conduct have long been discarded. As a matter of urgency, a serious campaign against offenders should be implemented. We believe that there are still a lot more remaining good minds whom we can take in and trust to achieve it.

It won’t help

Gerii Calupitan, Muntinlupa City: When my cousin reported to his chief at the Bureau of Customs in FVR’s time, he asked: “Ano po ba ang trabaho ko dito, Sir, taga bukas-sara lang ng drawer?“ True enough, he would open the drawer when a client came, a fat envelope would be dropped into the open “vault” then slid shut; until the next client came. A friend’s mom was a customs examiner during FM’s time. Her six spoiled kids lined up every morning and she’d give P200 to each of them. Remember, the mininum wage then was P4 a day or P120 a month. Institutionalized na yan sa Customs. May drawer man o wala, tuloy ang ligaya. Madiskarte ang Pinoy. Sa Alabang, cigarette vendor ang collector. Kada ikot ng bus, aakyat ang vendor, aabutan ng P20, sa Customs pa?

Ruel Bautista, Laguna: You could also tie one hand of every BOC employee and that still won’t make them tow the line. Only a straight person like P-Noy is needed to lead them.

Roger Caravana, Bulacan: The drawer-less table as proposed to contain corruption in Bureau of Customs is only a palliative and not an ultimate solution.

Renato Taylan, Ilocos Norte: The message of honesty need not be contained in drawer-less tables for the Bureau of Customs employees.  

Jess Ludovice, Metro Manila: To eradicate graft and corruption in the bureaucracy, especially in the Customs bureau, the best thing to do is to overhaul it: Change all the leaders and replace them with people of integrity. Make all transactions transparent for all to see. And then use the drawer-less table, which could help a little. Without an overhaul of the system, the drawer-less table will not help in eradicating graft and corruption.

It may encourage them to become honest

Jimmy Donton, Palawan: I favor the drawer-less tables for BOC employees. It will help them become honest in carrying out their jobs just like any good government employee anywhere in the Philippines.

Lifestyle checks are better deterrents

Robert Young Jr., San Juan: Drawer-less tables?! Might as well ask Customs personnel to wear pocketless shirts and pants, but that still won’t deter them from accepting bribes. Neither will CCTVs. Remember, if there’s a will, there’s a way. The best way to catch public officials may still be a lifestyle check. An official who becomes rich by accepting bribes can’t resist the temptation to buy a new car, house, wear signature dress and accessories. Do a lifestyle check with Customs, DPWH, BIR, MWSS, and PCGG personnel, and for sure many won’t be able to pass.

C.B. Fundales, Bulacan: Why alter tables when the scrutiny of lifestyles and bank accounts is airtight? Let’s improve lifestyle checks and strengthen anti-money laundering instead.

Stiffer penalties are needed

Deo Durante, Camarines Sur: It has nothing to do with stopping unabated graft and corruption. Stiffer penalties are necessary. The ball is now in the hands of this administration to work on this.

Carmela Ramento, Cagayan de Oro City: Drawer-less tables, pants or shirts without pockets these belong to the same brainless idea to fight corruption. Catch one BOC employee doing monkey business, put him in jail, and the rest will wet their pants off.

Hermes Adriano, Metro Manila: Even with drawer-less tables, crooks will still find a way to get bribes. The better way is to let all employees, the bosses included, sign undertakings renouncing bribery and corruption under oath. Then, come up with an independent subtle monitor to identify suspected takers with an adjudicating committee to take action within a week after the discovered commission of the crime. A decision must be made immediately to clear or terminate the suspected party. Results have to be made known to discover future infractions. Strong political will must be observed in all cases. 

How about clothes without pockets?

Romeo Caubat, Masbate: Yes, it’s a good idea, but they should also wear clothes without pockets, and wear a gadget that can monitor their daily transactions.

Rose Leobrera, Manila: That’s not enough. They should also be pocketless (like those guys in SM supermarkets because they are not allowed to receive tips) and dapat shoeless (so they cannot slip the lagay inside their socks). It’s been a long time coming.

Jeffrey Villar, Capiz: Aside from drawer-less tables, how about pocket-less pants for the Customs bureau personnel? Yuk yuk yuk.

Eufrocino Linsangan, Isabela: I believe the proposal to give Customers employees drawer-less tables is most welcome to the public. They can add to this proposal pocket-less uniforms for employees.

Cris Rivera, Rizal: Drawer-less tables and pocket-less pants for BOC employees will make the cut. Mr. Manalastas, I almost spilled my mocha-tasting coffee. Good am!

It may hurt the pride of honest workers

Ed Natad, Cavite: Drawer-less tables for BOC employees is a sign of untrustworthiness that could hurt the pride of honest workers.

I.Q. Calata, Parañaque City: This is not a good idea at all. For the honest ones in the Bureau of Customs (bakit, wala na ba’ng natira?), these drawer-less tables can be very degrading. If this proposal is implemented, it will make us a laughingstock and the world will deride us as we affirm our petty bribery. Given the ingenuity of the evil-minded Filipino, he can still do it even if you take away the table itself. How about the big bribery done on restaurant tables or any other table better known as under-the-table deals.

Well, that’s transparency

Tino Abella, Masbate: That’s the kind of transparency that we desire, so they shouldn’t take it as an insult if they are indeed honest.

Best thing to do is to overhaul the management

Nony de Leon, Malolos City: Band aid remedies will not be enough at Customs. Major operations are required to reform it.

Views expressed in this section do not necessarily reflect the editorial position of The STAR. The STAR does not knowingly publish false information and may not be held liable for the views of readers exercising their right to free expression. The publication also reserves the right to edit contributions to this section as it sees fit.

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