Newly-appointed Customs Commissioner Bert Lina should fully explain the relief of a Bureau of Customs lawyer investigating one of his companies.
He should also answer allegations why his other company allegedly faked the importation papers of GMA 7 resulting in the seizure of broadcast equipment brought in by the radio-TV network.
Leonardo Peralta was moved from the Customs Investigation Division to the Customs Policy Research Office, an adjunct office at the Department of Finance where 鈥渦ndesirables鈥� are dumped.
At the time of his relief,
Peralta鈥檚 office was investigating the Lina-owned U-Freight cargo handling company for allegedly not paying P1.5 billion in taxes and duties.
The amount represented a number of shipments missing at the firm鈥檚 warehouse in Pasay City. The shipments were allegedly released without paying customs duties and taxes.
Lina鈥檚 explanation that he just signed Peralta鈥檚 reassignment stinks. 鈥淚 really do not know. I just signed it. That is the prerogative of the commissioner and the Department of Finance,鈥� he said.
Peralta鈥檚 consignment to a 鈥渇reezer鈥� smacks of vengeance.
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Last year, the customs bureau held for auction broadcast equipment consigned to GMA 7 which landed at the Port of Manila after it was found 鈥渁bandoned and unentered.鈥�
The shipment鈥檚 broker was Dexter S. Pepanio of the Lina Group of Companies.
Last year, broadcast equipment consigned to GMA 7 were seized at the Ninoy Aquino International Airport (Naia) because they reportedly had spurious importation papers.
The 2100 Customs Brokers Inc. of the Lina Group of Companies was GMA 7鈥檚聽聽 broker.
Edgar Z. Macabeo, the Naia customs chief who ordered the shipment seized during John Phillip Sevilla鈥檚 watch, has asked for the lifting of the seizure order after Lina took over as customs commissioner.
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Being a victim of a fraudulent scheme, GMA 7 may be absolved of any criminal liability. The smuggled equipment should be auctioned off.
Lina鈥檚 brokerage firm must be held accountable for the fraudulent papers. Charges should be filed against it.
But which customs official or employee would dare file a criminal case against a company owned by his boss?
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Energy Secretary Jericho Petilla has resigned to ready his campaign for an elective position. That shows the character of the man. He could have clung to his post until the filing of the certificate of candidacy late this year and take advantage of the perks聽聽 of his office.