Senator Panfilo Lacson
MANILA, Philippines — Alleged conspiracy among officials of the Bureau of Customs (BOC) and the National Food Authority (NFA) to smuggle rice has prompted Senator Panfilo Lacson to file complaints before the Office of the Ombudsman.
Lacson said, two shipments comprised of 21,800 sacks of Vietnamese rice arrived at port of Cagayan de Oro in March 2017. The shipment was consigned to Cebu Lite Trading Incorporated.
He explained that those cargoes were already forfeited in favor of the government due to lack of import permit and other necessary documents but still they were released.
The lawmaker said, it was a violation of Republic Act 10845 or the Anti-Agricultural Smuggling Act of 2016 and RA 3019 or the Anti-Graft and Corrupt Practices Act.
“Dapat kumita yung gobyerno ng at least P34-million, yun ang equivalent. Eh hindi naman, kasi ni-release yung bigas. Pinayagang ma-release ni Commissioner Faeldon (The government should have earned at least P34-million, that was the equivalent. Bu it did not, because the rice was released. Commissioner Faeldon allowed its release),” Sen. Lacson said.
NFA Administrator Jason Aquino is among the respondents for allegedly issuing import permit.
Respondents who are still active in government service are also facing administrative case for grave misconduct.
Lason said, this is just one of the complaints that he plans to file against Faeldon.
The senator said he wants to prove his prior allegations against the former BOC Chief.
“Ito hindi in retaliation sa kanyang mga ginagawa kundi just to prove my point (This is not in retaliation for what he did, but to prove my point),” Lacson added.
UNTV News is waiting for a statement from the side of Faeldon and Aquino as well as from the other respondents of the complaints. – Rey Pelayo | UNTV News & Rescue
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