The Senate blue ribbon committee has proved the existence of a “tara,” or payola, system at the Bureau of Customs (BOC) but has been unable to gather evidence on customs officials and personnel named by Sen. Panfilo Lacson as those who allegedly received payoffs, Sen. Richard Gordon said on Tuesday. Speaking to reporters after the hearing, Gordon said he was not clearing anyone when he stated there was no evidence that BOC officials and personnel had received payola for the speedy release of shipments without inspection or payment of the proper fees. Among those named by Lacson in his privilege speech last year were former Customs Commissioner Nicanor Faeldon and his five deputy commissioners. Gordon said the tara system was still in place at the BOC because Customs Commissioner Isidro Lapeña had confirmed it. “They will end up in jail.”At the hearing, Gordon gave two BOC officials the opportunity to answer Lacson’s accusations.

Source: Philippine Daily Inquirer March 20, 2018 22:18 UTC