Lawmakers to investigate rampant vehicle smuggling
By Maricel V. Cruz Reporter - Manila Times
The House of Representatives will start an inquiry in aid of legislation into the reported rampant smuggling of luxury cars in the country.
This developed as Lakas-Christian Muslim Democrats Rep. Monico Puentevella of Bacolod City welcomed any forthcoming probe into the Presidential Antismuggling Group’s disclosure that hundreds of smuggled luxury vehicles were released in various ports in the country by the Bureau of Customs without paying the correct duties and taxes that could run to billions of pesos.
“It’s time the culprits in the Customs, who are involved in the smuggling and release of luxury cars, are identified so the government can punish them and end their corrupt practices,” said Puentevella, chairman of the House Committee on Transportation.
PASG Chief Antonio Villar disclosed he has a list of 500 luxury vehicles that were issued release orders by the Customs in Subic without paying correct duties and taxes.
Puentevella described Villar’s disclosure “alarming.” He lamented that car smuggling happens in various ports and that the ports of Subic and Cebu are the “most notorious.”
“We should support the PASG’s campaign against the smuggling of luxury vehicles which is in line with the Arroyo administration’s campaign against graft,” Puentevella pointed out.
Puentevella had earlier filed House Bill 2058 seeking to consider any form of smuggling as economic sabotage, which provides stiffer penalties against violators, including government employees who may be caught in any smuggling activity—either imprisonment or a fine of no less than P500,000.
“Whether it was actual or technical smuggling, it should be punishable by life imprisonment,” Puentevella concluded
The House of Representatives will start an inquiry in aid of legislation into the reported rampant smuggling of luxury cars in the country.
This developed as Lakas-Christian Muslim Democrats Rep. Monico Puentevella of Bacolod City welcomed any forthcoming probe into the Presidential Antismuggling Group’s disclosure that hundreds of smuggled luxury vehicles were released in various ports in the country by the Bureau of Customs without paying the correct duties and taxes that could run to billions of pesos.
“It’s time the culprits in the Customs, who are involved in the smuggling and release of luxury cars, are identified so the government can punish them and end their corrupt practices,” said Puentevella, chairman of the House Committee on Transportation.
PASG Chief Antonio Villar disclosed he has a list of 500 luxury vehicles that were issued release orders by the Customs in Subic without paying correct duties and taxes.
Puentevella described Villar’s disclosure “alarming.” He lamented that car smuggling happens in various ports and that the ports of Subic and Cebu are the “most notorious.”
“We should support the PASG’s campaign against the smuggling of luxury vehicles which is in line with the Arroyo administration’s campaign against graft,” Puentevella pointed out.
Puentevella had earlier filed House Bill 2058 seeking to consider any form of smuggling as economic sabotage, which provides stiffer penalties against violators, including government employees who may be caught in any smuggling activity—either imprisonment or a fine of no less than P500,000.
“Whether it was actual or technical smuggling, it should be punishable by life imprisonment,” Puentevella concluded
posted by OlongapoCity Zambales at
8:48 AM
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