Senate hearing pinpoints root of discrepancy in SGS billings

A rule imposed by one customs official has been determined as the root of the current discrepancy on how much the government owes Societe Generale de Surveillance for its pre-shipment inspection services.

At a Senate hearing held earlier this month, it was found out that Customs Deputy Commissioner Emma Rosqueta wanted to immediately presume double billing each time SGS is late in sending its invoices to the customs bureau.

She admitted though, upon questioning by Sen. Rodolfo Biazon, that there is no provision for her double billing presumption in the SGS contract with the government and that there is "no universally accepted rule" on this issue.

Rosqueta admitted "that the disagreement (with her four other panel members) was on the formula "she wanted adopted by the government. Under her formula, even billings submitted in April to cover the very last day – March 31, 2000 – of SGS’ service, were no longer accepted and presumed double billings.

"Who defines this formula? Is the formula a provision of the contract?" Biazon asked. Rosqueta answered in the negative. She also yielded to the comment of the senator that SGS should be consulted on what formula should apply.