A failed campaign

There was one interesting portion of Edgardo Espiritu’s testimony last week. The former finance chief said he used to see known smugglers at Malacañang. Asked to identify the smugglers, Espiritu looked flustered. The court allowed him not to identify the smugglers. Espiritu has since left with his wife for the United States, saying they have been receiving death threats.

His failure to answer the question and his subsequent flight revived the public’s interest in smuggling activities in this administration. On Aug. 21, 1999, Malacañang had issued a press release, saying that President Estrada had ordered the Bureau of Customs to investigate 14 suspected big-time smugglers. According to the press release, the President had ordered then Customs Commissioner Nelson Tan to prosecute the smugglers and to submit to Malacañang within 72 hours the names of other people suspected of involvement in smuggling.

The Palace press release even identified the alleged smugglers. Among those in the list was Lucio Co, a presidential friend who owns the Pure Gold duty-free shops. Nelson Tan lost his job shortly after that list was released. None of those identified in the Malacañang press release was ever apprehended. A Customs official said yesterday that they never received any order to investigate those in the list.

Even as Customs and police personnel scratched their heads in bewilderment, scandals erupted over smuggled luxury vehicles, sardines, clothing and other items that for some reason kept finding their way to Malacañang. There was a presidential task force against smuggling, which was disbanded at around the time that it seemed to be doing its job well. The task force’s functions were transferred to the Philippine National Police, whose chief said yesterday that he "dreams" of the day they can arrest Co for smuggling. Opening your eyes and looking for evidence may be better than dreaming. But then the arrest of suspected smugglers has generally remained in the realm of dreams in this administration.