'PAGC may also be abolished'

MANILA, Philippines - Like the Presidential Anti-Smuggling Group (PASG), the Presidential Anti-Graft Commission (PAGC) may also be abolished because of the creation of the Truth Commission.

“I think the direction is to abolish it (PAGC) because now it seems that its function is not relevant anymore. We would concentrate on the Truth Commission,” Communications Group Secretary Herminio Coloma said in Filipino over radio station dzMM. 

PAGC, composed of a chairman and four commissioners, is mandated to investigate malfeasance among appointees of the president, but excluding Cabinet secretaries.

President Aquino earlier hinted on the possible abolishment of the PASG, which was formed by Pampanga Rep. Gloria Macapagal-Arroyo during her term as president. 

Justice Secretary Leila de Lima supported the plan to abolish the anti-smuggling group, and has discussed the proposal with National Bureau of Investigation Director Magtanggol Gatdula.  

“I directed the recall of NBI agents assigned to PASG as a prelude to my recommendation to abolish PASG,” she said.

Mr. Aquino said the group has not been able to fulfill its mandate. 

“It’s supposed to be (an) anti-smuggling group but smuggling still exists,” he said.  

In November last year, a group of Customs brokers accused the PASG of extortion and have dubbed it the Presidential Abu Sayyaf Group, after the notorious kidnap for ransom group based in Mindanao.

In a congressional hearing, Agapito Mendez, president of the Professional Customs Brokers Association of the Philippines Inc., said PASG officers hold their container vans hostage and make them “pay ransom money.”  

Mendez said Customs brokers are made to pay P20,000 for every 20-foot container van held and P40,000 for every 40-foot container van before release.

Albay Rep. Al Francis Bichara, whose sports car was seized by PASG agents, said the agency must be abolished because it duplicates the work of the Bureau of Customs (BOC).

He noted that Congress authorizes only the BOC to collect customs duties, not the PASG.

Bichara also said PASG officials are not knowledgeable on the Tariff and Customs Code. 

PASG Assistant Secretary Danilo Manguila said, however, that PASG employees are working as volunteers.