Aquino vows more cases vs tax evaders, smugglers

MANILA, Philippines - President Aquino promised to deal with smugglers just as severely as he would tax evaders.

“If I could point you to another direction, the BIR (Bureau of Internal Revenue) has already filed a case, I think the Customs should have also (done the same),” Mr. Aquino said.

He said the agencies would work harder to stop leakages in revenue generation.

He said they were already receiving intelligence information about tax evaders and smugglers but would want to make sure the evidence would stand in court “when you start arresting people.”

“There must be evidence that will prosper in court so we would not be hit back for low conviction rate. Arrests are useless if nobody will be convicted. Once arrested, the case must already be ironed out through case preparation,” Mr. Aquino said.

On Thursday, the President said the Presidential Anti-Smuggling Group might be abolished as he warned new Customs Commissioner Angelito Alvarez to put a stop to smuggling or face losing his job.

Mr. Aquino stressed that it was no longer important for Alvarez to answer allegations that he cheated in golf because what mattered to him was his appointees’ credentials and performance output.

“We might no longer continue with it (PASG). I told Alvarez, you know the golf issue, among all the issues, that was the most minor sin. It’s no longer my interest if you could answer or not, it’s all up to good PR. In the end, there must be results. If there are no results, when you know the problem and you did not do your job, goodbye,” Aquino said.

Aquino said some criticisms against Alvarez were out of line and that he made a choice based on merits.

Stopping smuggling was one of the campaign promises of Mr. Aquino.

Former president now Pampanga Rep. Gloria Macapagal-Arroyo appointed Antonio Villar Jr. as presidential adviser for anti-smuggling and head of the PASG.

The PASG, which is under the Office of the President (OP), comprises people from the BOC, Philippine National Police (PNP), Philippine Coast Guard (PCG), Philippine Navy (PN), Philippine Maritime Authority (MARINA), Philippine Ports Authority (PPA), National Food Authority (NFA), and the Bureau of Food and Drugs (BFAD).

It has the power and function to apprehend, seize, investigate, and prosecute acts involving smuggling, unlawful importation, and other similar violations of the Tariff and Customs Code of the Philippines. It is assisted by a special team of prosecutors from the Department of Justice (DOJ) to expedite criminal and other cases of violations of Customs and other related laws and regulations.

“What’s happening is shameless. You already know who to run after and prove that they are (smugglers). Then eventually in the market, the prices are low and the distribution channel is not clear. They would have to explain, how did the goods reach the market?” Mr. Aquino said.

Mr. Aquino said he would not impose an annual performance review.

“Not necessarily annual. At the end of the day, trust and confidence. If you have no trust, why prolong the person in a certain position?” he said.