Traders told to shun bribery at BOC

Amid the intensified crackdown on corruption at the Bureau of Customs (BOC), Malacañang has warned traders against offering bribes to facilitate the processing of their shipments.

Presidential Spokesman Salvador Panelo said businessmen should follow the country's Customs rules and regulations or risk facing jail time.

Meantime, Senator Juan Edgardo Angara reminded the BOC to strictly implement the Customs Modernization and Tariff Act (CMTA) that prohibits the tampering of “Balikbayan” boxes brought into the country.

The CIMTA, he pointed out, mandates less intrusive examination of “Balikbayan” boxes to ensure that overseas Filipino workers‘ (OFWs) rights are protected.

“It’s very clear under the law that Customs officials cannot just open and rummage through these ‘Balikbayan’ boxes,” Angara said in a statement.

Bribery = jail time “We would like to remind everyone to follow our laws. Do not attempt to bribe anyone because you will certainly land in jail," Panelo said in Filipino in a radio interview.

President Duterte recently implemented a major revamp in the BOC to curb corruption and drug smuggling, appointing former military chief Rey Leonardo Guerrero to replace Isidro Lapeña.

Duterte also directed the military to temporarily take over Customs operations after placing all personnel on floating status.

The President's latest move drew criticisms from some groups but the Palace asserted that the move is constitutional.

Panelo said the President has directed the new Customs leadership to stamp out corruption and step up revenue collection.