Daily Tribune (Philippines)

Customs weeding out 112

- By Raymart T. Lolo

Seven of 119 Bureau of Customs (BoC) officials and personnel charged criminally or administra­tively had been dismissed from the service by the Office of the Ombudsman over various charges, Commission­er Rey Leonardo disclosed on Tuesday.

Guerrero told reporters the BoC had filed 120 administra­tive and 20 criminal complaints against the 119 respondent­s in an effort to rid the bureau of misfits. He, however, admitted the “tara” or grease money system continues in the bureau.

The BoC chief said some importers continue to deal with customs brokers and officials to get discounts on their shipment.

Rating the BoC’s efforts to get rid of rogue employees and officials, Guerrero said that it stands at 36.1 percent. “We’re here at rock bottom, but we can’t be at zero (percent),” he pointed out.

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