Lacson vs Faeldon: Who will have the last word and the proof?
This looks to me like a feud that could last years, especially if it heads to court. What new revelations or charges will unfold? Will no one have the last word?
Lacson the accuser
Let’s begin with the protagonists.
- - He has built his public persona as the accuser of wrongdoing and dishonesty in government by public
Last Wednesday, in a privilege former commissioner Faeldon and dozens of Customs employees of receiving tara, or bribes for the clearing of shipments by the bureau. He tagged them all as involved in bribery and smuggling operations at the Customs. He accused them of being responsible for the supply of
In addition, Lacson alleged million bribe upon taking the post of Customs commissioner as
Faeldon promptly denied the charge, saying that he never accepted tara or asked anyone to collect it for him.
Faeldon fires back
Within 24 hours, Faeldon, true to his background as a Marine, delivered his stinging reply, at a press conference in his home in Taytay, Rizal, which was noticeably modest.
Faeldon lashed back at Lacson by exposing the senator’s son and - son, Jr., as a smuggler of “cement country, resulting in massive losses to the government.
At the press conference, Faeldon said that as a private citizen, he will the senator’s son for smuggling 67 belonging to a company called Bonjourno Trading which he said is owned by Lacson Jr.
Faeldon backed up his accusation with documents to prove that Lacson’s son was into cement
metric tons of cement valued at A fourth shipment was brought to
Faeldon said that from the pre percent of the freight cost.
The former customs chief also disclosed that when he checked - the company only had a paid-up
- lion in just three days? Three ships of shipment but, ladies and gentlemen, these are only
Faeldon said the fact that Lacson Jr. was undervaluing his cargo is a clear case of smuggling.
He stressed that the son’s smuggling activities and their imminent Lacson wanted him out of the bureau.
The resigned customs chief also was a customs player.
“We have now the evidence, sir. This is what you should worry about, sir, because we are nearing, we are getting close to exposing
Faeldon also disclosed that the Cement Manufacturers of the - no as the alleged top smuggler of cement in the country.
Where does it go from here?
Faeldon’s charges: “He (Faeldon) my son if he is into smuggling. It doesn’t make sense that I will expose the shenanigans in the BoC if my son is cheating on taxes as Faeldon is now accusing him of. The logical thing for me to do is not to make
He added: “For the record, I have always reminded my son to be on the level in whatever business dealings he would have because if
But Lacson, Jr. himself has not surfaced to deny the charges. His billion- peso company has kept silent. This makes the public think that he may really be a smuggler.
Lacson, assuring him of their belief in his uprightness. They swore to oppose any investigation by smuggling activities. The disinterest is suspicious. Lacson declared that he does not owe Faeldon any apology as he stood his ground on his exposé and will not defend his son on the alleged smuggling activities.
Yet Faeldon has never asked for an apology; he means to expose his accuser.
Who can the public believe?
It’s a case of charge vs counter- charge. It will come down to who can substantiate his charges. Or, who is more credible to the public.
Lacson superficially has the edge because of his public record of living off exposés.
But there was an ominous note last week when it was pointed out that Lacson based his litany to him by people supposedly in the know about corruption in the customs bureau. He has not documented any of his charges.
In contrast, Faeldon waved documents before the media when he leveled his accusations against father and son.
There is also talk that Lacson is preparing now for another run for - gling issue against his family could be ruinous for his plans.
Lacson may also have to contend with public cynicism about could now also engulf him.
accusing others of being dishonest, how will he fend off effectively the charge of dishonesty against his family? Will it be enough for Lacson to say that he is not responsible for his son’s business?
Ironically, this issue is a byproduct of the culture of dynasty that is heavily practiced by Filipino keep political power within their family by grooming their children for political careers.
Lacson has proven vulnerable also to dynastic ambitions. Lacson, Jr. himself has already although he lost.
There are some who are secretly pleased that Lacson is getting a taste of his own medicine. A politician who poses as holier than others, like a priest or evangelist disgraced, must suffer blowback when the image proves to be false.