Car importers warned to scrutinize SC decision
After the Supreme Court gave the green light for the continued import of second-hand vehicles, Senator Richard Gordon on Friday warned that car importers cannot import vehicles outside of the secured fence in former Subic Naval base area.
Gordon, former chairman of the Subic Bay Metropolitan Authority (SBMA), made the comment after the High Tribunal, through Associate Justice Consuelo Ynares-Santiago ruled that Executive Order No.156, which prohibits the importation of used cars, should not apply to Subic because of the latter's designation as a Freeport and special economic zone.
"Before the car importers rejoice, they should read the fine print. But look closely to what the decision states: used motor vehicles that come into the Philippine territory via the secured fenced-in former Subic Naval Base area may be stored, used or traded therein [referring to the base area] or exported out of the Philippine territory, but they cannot be imported into the Philippine territory outside of the secured fence in former Subic Naval base area. This means that even if used cars can come into Subic, they cannot be sold to the domestic market. Every single used car has to be re-exported," he explained.
The politician emphasized that the EO 156 may be void inside Subic but since it was held valid for the rest of the country, the used cars cannot leave the Freeport and cross the border into Olongapo, Zambales or Bataan, or any other place in the country.
"These smugglers will finally be unable to sell their cars here, and we've been able to use the law to stop them from laughing all the way to the bank. SBMA must stop these cars from leaving the freeport. SBMA must do its duty to make sure that when the cars are converted or reconditioned, the oil and fluids do not spill and pollute the environment of Subic," he said. Sun Star
Gordon, former chairman of the Subic Bay Metropolitan Authority (SBMA), made the comment after the High Tribunal, through Associate Justice Consuelo Ynares-Santiago ruled that Executive Order No.156, which prohibits the importation of used cars, should not apply to Subic because of the latter's designation as a Freeport and special economic zone.
"Before the car importers rejoice, they should read the fine print. But look closely to what the decision states: used motor vehicles that come into the Philippine territory via the secured fenced-in former Subic Naval Base area may be stored, used or traded therein [referring to the base area] or exported out of the Philippine territory, but they cannot be imported into the Philippine territory outside of the secured fence in former Subic Naval base area. This means that even if used cars can come into Subic, they cannot be sold to the domestic market. Every single used car has to be re-exported," he explained.
The politician emphasized that the EO 156 may be void inside Subic but since it was held valid for the rest of the country, the used cars cannot leave the Freeport and cross the border into Olongapo, Zambales or Bataan, or any other place in the country.
"These smugglers will finally be unable to sell their cars here, and we've been able to use the law to stop them from laughing all the way to the bank. SBMA must stop these cars from leaving the freeport. SBMA must do its duty to make sure that when the cars are converted or reconditioned, the oil and fluids do not spill and pollute the environment of Subic," he said. Sun Star
posted by OlongapoCity Zambales at
9:41 AM
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