Biazon defends computerization project

MANILA, Philippines - The computerization program of the Bureau of Customs (BOC) is above board. This was stressed by Customs Commissioner Ruffy Biazon yesterday as he denied allegations of a businesswoman seeking to stop the project’s implementation by winning bidder Webb Fontaine.

In a weekly forum in Manila, the BOC chief said the complaint filed recently by Annabelle Margaroli, of Omniprime Marketing Inc., before the Manila Regional Trial Court questioning the project has no basis as it stemmed from a personal motive against Webb Fontaine.

Biazon questioned Omniprime’s bid after he found out that the company failed to participate in the bidding process for lack of some required documents.

According to Biazon, he said the complainant, a former lawmaker, has no legal standing to question the project in the first place.

Omniprime asked the RTC to issue a temporary restraining order (TRO) on the award of the BOC contract to Webb Fontaine.

It was learned that Omniprime was previously a partner of the local subsidiary of Webb Fontaine in a previous maintenance contract with the BOC.

But Webb Fontaine dropped Omniprime and partnered with another firm, Global Resource for Outsource Workers (GROW), for the new computerization project.

“They don’t seem to get along as business partners so they parted ways and Webb Fontaine ended up partnering with GROW,” Biazon bared.

He said there were no irregularities in the bidding last March as legal and proper procedures were thoroughly and transparently followed.

While Biazon said he would respect the decision of the court on the matter, he warned that delays in the implementation of the project could adversely affect the revenue collection target of the agency.

The BOC chief stressed there is no legal question to the necessity and importance of the computerization project which would intensify revenue collections and help rid illegal transactions in the agency.