EDITORIAL – Customs housecleaning?

Amid pressure from lawmakers and other quarters, the Bureau of Customs finally cracked down on a businessman tagged as an untouchable at the ports. Samuel Lee was arrested recently by the police on charges of smuggling plastic resin.

The police Criminal Investigation and Detection Group had tipped off the Bureau of Customs that Lee had brought in over 100 container vans of plastic resin and misdeclared the shipment to avoid paying the proper duties at the Port of Manila. Customs officials said they were holding 94 of the containers and were looking for the rest, which were allegedly consigned to dummy companies.

Is Lee one big fish that won’t get away? Immigration authorities have banned his departure from the country, but a regional trial court in Quezon City ordered his release on a technicality shortly after his arrest. Criminal and administrative charges are also being readied against six Customs officials including a principal examiner and principal appraiser in connection with Lee’s case.

Lee is just one of several individuals tagged by lawmakers as untouchables at Customs ports. The individuals are said to enjoy the protection of powerful people, which is hardly surprising. Some of the names on lawmakers’ lists have been notorious for several administrations now, buying protection whoever is in power. They have laundered smuggling proceeds to set up legitimate businesses. Customs officials are only too happy to follow orders from the top; smugglers know how to spread their wealth around. Certain Customs personnel also run their own protection syndicates.

The arrest of Lee has raised hopes for a housecleaning at Customs, tagged in every survey as one of the most corrupt government agencies. But it remains to be seen whether this is a serious cleanup or if Lee merely stepped on certain powerful toes and had to be taught a lesson. It also remains to be seen whether he will actually be punished together with the six Customs officials who have been implicated in the smuggling case. For now a cynical public expects no pleasant surprises.