BOC forfeits items seized from Liloan

CEBU, Philippines - The Bureau of Customs – Port of Cebu has ordered the forfeiture of imported items seized from T.E.S. Enterprises in Yati, Liloan, Cebu after the claimant failed to show payment of customs taxes and duties for the goods.

In a decision dated April 1, 2014, BOC-Port of Cebu legal office chief Rico Rey Holganza said the failure of the claimant to present evidence of payment for the foreign articles displayed openly for sale violates Section 2536 in relation to Section 2530 (g) of the Tariff and Customs Code of the Philippines, as amended.

It can be recalled that a warrant of seizure and detention was issued against the imported goods last March 26. On March 31, a hearing was called to give the party concerned the opportunity to present evidence.

However, despite notice, the claimant failed to appear in the scheduled hearing and because BOC-Cebu examiner Gil Buzon was able to present evidence, the case was submitted for resolution.

“This office is bound by the evidence presented and has no other recourse but to order the forfeiture of the subject articles in favor of the government,” the decision reads.

Holganza, in a separate interview, said that after the 15-day required period for posting the decision and the claimant still fail to oppose the findings, BOC will proceed with the costing of each seized items for public auction.

A total of 183 items were seized during the raid at T.E.S. Enterprises based on Buzon’s Inventory Report to District Collector Rolando Almadin last March 10. These include a payloader, prime mover, lang tractors, jetskis, 400 used tires, speed boats, water pumps, welding machines, various chassis and body, generator sets and engines.

Aside from these, various brands of the used cars and motorcycles like Mitsubishi, Suzuki, Honda and Yamaha were also seized during the raid.

The raid was conducted by virtue of the letter of authority issued by Customs Commissioner John Sevilla.  (FREEMAN)