‘Tara’ system exist-Ex-BOC heads
By J.Lo
“It’s criminal, your Honor,” former Bureau of Customs (BOC) Commissioner Nicanor Faeldon affirmed testimony of alleged Customs fixer Mark Taguba, claimed grease money, or “tara,” was paid to various offices within agency to facilitate release of shipment containers.
Faeldon said employees and former heads of Bureau of Customs (BOC) have shared conflicting testimonies about existence of “tara” system.
At House Quad Committee’s 14th hearing on Faeldon tried to dismantle system, calling it illegal, but BOC employees were reluctant to come forward. He served as commissioner from 2016 to 2017 before resigning, admitting he had failed to eradicate corruption in tBOC.
He said he spent six months appealing to importers and brokers, urging them to “consider country’s welfare” and refrain from seeking reduced or waived tariffs, citing nation’s debt as key concern.
Rep. Bienvenido Abante (Manila, 6th District) and Rep. France Castro (ACT Teachers Party-list) suggested people may be reluctant to come forward out of fear of being held accountable.
Former Philippine Drug Enforcement Agency (PDEA) Director General Isidro Lapeña succeeded Faeldon, also confirmed existence of tara system. He shared similar experience.
“When I was commissioner, as I’ve said, I have talked with importers. ..that’s one of the input that was given me. ‘Help me address this problem,’ but nobody came forward so what I did was reshuffle people in the office,” Lapeña said.
Castro asked him if anyone was found accepting or giving grease money, Lapeña said there was none.
Both Faeldon and Lapeña agreed with Castro’s assertion that they lacked effort in eliminating corruption or holding key players accountable during their tenure as agency heads.
“Alam nila ‘yung existing problem, pero ‘yung effort po ng ating mga nasa taas na pwesto ng BOC ay hindi nagawang masupil,” lawmaker said, suggesting operation similar to buy bust could have been done.
While both former BOC commissioners acknowledged being aware of “tara” system, Tristan Langcay, long-time personnel from agency’s legal division insists he has “no personal knowledge” of it.
“As to existence, I have no personal knowledge of that… if not personal knowledge, I’ve heard of it,i’ve heard stories about tara system and it seems tara system was in place even before shipments were in place, BOC Legal Service Director Langcay told lawmakers.
He has been with BOC since 2009, primarily in legal division. Despite this, he insists he has never witnessed grease money exchanges, even during his tenure as deputy collector of operations, where “tara” system is said to be widespread.
Lawmakers suspect Langcay is withholding information and have decided to invite BOC Commissioner Bienvenido Rubio to the next hearing.
Taguba explained grease money would not have existed if BOC efficiently processed documents.
He implied importers and brokers end up paying “tara” to ensure shipments are processed quickly without unnecessary delays, and for others, it is to avoid higher taxes and bypass strict inspections to allow smuggled items into the country undetected.
“Unang una hindi nila kailangang magbigay ng tara kung maayos ang BOC, kung inaasikaso ‘yung mga papel at hindi kinakailangang bigyan ng buwis para lang asikasuhin ka, walang magbibigay ng tara,” Taguba said.
In previous hearing, Taguba released about 100 containers a day and paid BOC offices P170,000 per container.
Meanwhile, Faeldon explained he established Central Command to centralize issuance of shipment alerts and curb corruption, but it was being exploited with bribes or “tara” system.
“That’s why CenComm was made to centralize issuances of commodities… ‘pag iho-hold ‘yung isang commodity … that’s where corruption starts… Ia-alert ka nila tapos maglalagay ka ng tara para marealase,” he said.
Taguba testified before Quad Comm, admitting his role in “tara” system linked to P6.4 billion shabu shipment but denying he is drug lord.
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