Department of Finance Opinion: Donation of Customs-seized vehicles to city government legal

The city government's proposal to a get a donation of 10 forfeited right-hand-drive vehicles from the Bureau of Customs has no legal complications, said a Department of Finance opinion sent to the city council.

Finance undersecretary of legal and revenue operations group Gaudencio Mendoza Jr., wrote councilor Sylvan Jakosalem that the department recommends to Customs the disposal of these RHD vehicles in the form of donations to the city.

Mendoza said the DOF does not object to the donation, pursuant to the Tariff and Customs Code, for as long as pertinent Customs laws, rules and regulations are complied with.

Jakosalem said the City Police will use the vehicles, once donated but he clarified that these vehicles will be converted first from right-hand-drive to left-hand-drive configuration, the cost of which will be shouldered by the city.

The city is expected to spend an estimated P800,000 for the conversion and the installation of police communication gadgets. - Garry B. Lao