Lacson to name BOC officials on the take

MANILA, Philippines - Sen. Panfilo Lacson will reveal on Wednesday a list of officials in the Bureau of Customs (BOC) who he said are on the take from smugglers.

Lacson yesterday said he intends to bare the names in a privilege speech instead of during the resumption of the Senate inquiry into the smuggling of P6.4 billion worth of shabu that passed through the BOC last May.

He said the information was obtained from many sources in the BOC itself, most of which were volunteered.

“So many people have been giving information. With a little bit of exaggeration, it appears that only (BOC Commissioner) Nick Faeldon who has not given me a list,” Lacson told dzBB.

To filter the numerous names given to him, Lacson said the final list is composed of what he called “commonly mentioned” personalities.

“You don’t expect those providing information to include their own names, but their names appear in other lists provided by others,” he said.

The Senate Blue Ribbon committee had two Chinese importers detained in the chamber for allegedly lying before the panel.

Sen. Richard Gordon, chairman of the panel, said the committee will come up with a preliminary report that is expected to be furnished to President Duterte.

Duterte said he will wait for the report of the Senate and the House of Representatives before deciding on Faeldon’s fate.