Lacson files raps vs. Faeldon, 9 others at Ombudsman

FILE: Lacson accused Faeldon of allegedly allowing the shipment of forfeited smuggled rice worth PHP34 million into the country. (Photo: Philippine News Agency)

MANILA — Senator Panfilo “Ping” Lacson on Thursday filed before the Office of the Ombudsman a complaint against former Bureau of Customs (BOC) Commissioner Nicanor Faeldon in connection with the alleged corruption at the BOC.

Faeldon, together with National Food Authority (NFA) Administrator Jason Aquino and eight others are facing charges of graft, economic sabotage and grave misconduct before the Ombudsman.

Lacson accused Faeldon of allegedly allowing the shipment of forfeited smuggled rice worth PHP34 million into the country.

“Because the subject shipments released to (Cebu Lite Trading Inc.

) were considered property of the Republic of the Philippines because of the abandonment orders issued, and since there was no showing that CLTI exerted earnest effort to first cause the lifting of said orders of abandonment, the rice contained in the two shipments are, by operation of law, forfeited in favor of the Government,” the complaint said.

Lacson said the forfeited shipments of rice entered the Port of Cagayan de Oro City in March this year despite not having proper permits.

The rice, about 40,000 bags, were declared forfeited in April this year and were supposed to be disposed of.

Lacson said that Aquino instead issued papers for the shipments retroactively despite no law authorizing him to do so.

He said more complaints will be filed against the former BOC chief, including charges in connection with the “tara” or bribery system at the BOC.

During his privilege speech at the Senate last August, Lacson divulged a “tara” list containing alleged bribe givers or players and collectors or bagmen at the BOC.

Faeldon was included in the alleged list of recipients of tara or payola released by Lacson.

In his privilege speech, Lacson claimed that Faeldon was aware of the “tara” system at the BOC, which has been corrupting the agency for so long.  (PNA)