BOC to look into luxury vehicles linked to DPWH officials

Bureau of Customs (BOC) Commissioner Ariel Nepomuceno (File Photo: Civil Defense PH/Facebook)

By Ferdinand Patinio, Philippine News Agency

MANILA – The Bureau of Customs (BOC) will look into the luxury vehicles allegedly owned by officials of the Department of Public Works and Highways (DPWH).

According to Commissioner Ariel Nepomuceno, they are ready to investigate the high-end cars linked to officials of the department, which is under fire amid the anomalies in flood control projects.

“We have likewise taken note of luxury vehicles linked to the Department of Public Works and Highways officials, as raised during the Senate Blue Ribbon Committee hearing,” he said in a statement issued Tuesday.

“Their ownership and tax compliance will be reviewed and acted upon accordingly.”

At the same time, he said that 30 vehicles of the Discaya family are now under their possession, up from the initial 12 previously confiscated.

“We are establishing the corresponding tax liabilities to ensure that the Filipino people are not deprived of revenues rightfully due to the government,” he said.

Nepomuceno vowed that people or groups found to have violated the law will be punished accordingly.

“Those who may have violated anti-smuggling laws will also be held accountable,” he said.

Both houses of Congress are currently conducting separate hearings on the alleged irregularities in flood control projects, involving private contractors and lawmakers.