Bureau of Customs Chief Alberto Lina (UNTV News)
MANILA, Philippines — Customs Commissioner Alberto Lina assured that he will divest his shares in the companies that has transactions with the Bureau of Customs to erase the issue on conflict of interest in his designation as head of the bureau.
Lina said, his lawyers are now studying which companies he should divest from.
He, however, mentioned some, namely the LGC Logistics, U Freight, New Ocean, E Konek and Air 21.
The Customs chief pointed out that under the law he has 60 days to complete the process.
Commissioner Lina said, “Hindi ko pwede i-transfer sa wife even sa mga anak ko yung aking interes. kung nakikipag-deal sa Bureau of Customs. Divest talaga yun.”
“Magbabayad pa ako ng capital gains sa gobyerno. Kino-compute ngayon ng aming mga auditors kung magkano ang aking babayaran.”
(I cannot divert these interests to my wife or children. If the companies has dealings with the Bureau of Customs, it should be divested)
(I also have to pay capital gains to the government. Our auditors are doing the computation on how much I should pay)
Lina added that he also divested his shares from these companies when he was first appointed to head the BOC in 2005. He eventually bought them back 1 year after he left the bureau.
Lina promised, “I will serve this country and as I said in my speech: every peso we generate will go to the people and that’s my objective.”
However, Lina admits that it is a difficult task to reach the revenue target collection with the oil price in the world market down.
To run the BOC smoothly, the official pointed out that he will be reviving the 7 to 7 policy wherein the agency will be open for transaction from 7am to 7pm.
A command conference of all port collectors is scheduled on May 8 regarding its implementation.
The Customs commissioner also aims to raise the salary of the bureau employees which they plan to include in the proposed Customs Modernization Law.
On the issue of a possible reshuffle of personnel in the coming days, Lina said it will depend on the result of the performance assessment and review.
And on the controversial supposed appointment of Atty. Teddy Raval as head of the enforcement and security service, Lina said he still has to review if Raval is really qualified for the position. (VICTOR COSARE / UNTV News)