BOC chief orders creation of anti-corruption unit

Following the strict order of the President which is to stop all forms of corruption, the Bureau of Customs chief, Isidro S. Lapeña, ordered the creation of Interim Internal Affairs and Integrity Unit (IIAIU).

Corruption issue has been hounding the bureau for the longest time, “that is why we are now facing it head-on,” Commissioner Lapeña sai d .

The unit’s prime mandate is to stop illicit acts of some BOC officials and employees of amassing ill-gotten wealth. It primarily strengthens disciplinary actions on erring BOC personnel and aims to encourage everyone in the agency to be compliant with existing directives and policy guidelines.

In the memorandum issued on December 29, 2017, Commissioner Lapeña enumerates the functions of the unit: investigate complaints against BOC personnel, receive and gather evidence in support of an open investigation; conduct motu propio investigation on incidents where evidence in the prosecution of smuggling cases was compromised, tampered with, obliterated, or lost while in the custody of BOC personnel; conduct lifestyle checks on BOC personnel; evaluate or recommend the filing of appropriate criminal

cases against BOC personnel before the court as evidence warrants and assist in the prosecution of the case; and undertake liaison work, coordination, and provide assistance to the Office of the Ombudsman, National Anti-Corruption Commission of the Office of the President, and Revenue Integrity Protection Service of the Department of Finance.

During the Monday regular flag raising ceremony, the BOC chief again gave a stern warning to employees who blatantly ignore and disobey his orders to step out or else they will be weed out of the bureau.

“We already know you by names, it’s only a matter of time before I kick you out. I don’t care if you are backed by some officials. The President has given me full authority to lead this agency,” he added.

The Interim Internal Affairs and Integrity Unit is headed by the Commissioner and composed of one Attorney, two special investigators, and three administrative staff.

All reports will be submitted monthly to the Commissioner.

“It is incumbent upon public servants to promote high standard of public service, improve efficiency and institute professionalism in all our dealings,” the Commissioner said.

It can be noted that various reforms have been gaining ground since the present administration took over in September.

In its campaign against corruption, 641 personnel movements took place in a span of four months while in its efforts to increase government revenues, the bureau hit all-time high collections from September to November.

“We are not expecting to reach December target due to lesser imports since holiday season are over in the Philippines, but, we collected P44.450 billion, 109.2% percent of the P40.673 billion target,” Commissioner Lapeña said.

The bureau collected a total of P456.905 billion achieving 98 percent of the P467.896 billion 2017 BESF target.— BOC PIAD