Resigned Bureau of Customs (BOC) Commissioner Nicanor Faeldon has accused Senator Panfilo Lacson and his son, Panfilo "Pampi" Lacson Junior, of being big-time smugglers.
He made this allegation in a press conference at Palmera Hills Covered Court in Taytay, Rizal on Thursday morning.
Faeldon said documents at BOC supposedly showed that Lacson Jr., who is an importer, made a total of 67 shipments of cement since last year.
All of these transactions were allegedly undervalued.
"67 na barko ang pinarating ni Ping Lacson Junior," Faeldon claimed.
Faeldon described it as "smuggling of cement by the billions (of pesos)."
He also said when he assumed his post in July last 2016, the senator's son made four undervalued shipments worth a total of P 106 million.
Three of these shipments were supposedly made on July 12, 13 and 15 last year.
The shipper was reportedly just paying 50 percent of the amount of tax that should be paid to government.
Panfilo Jr's son was allegedly just paying 8 dollars per metric ton, when the correct rate should be 16 to 20 dollars per metric ton.
Faeldon said the senator's son is engaged in smuggling by undervaluing shipments.
"Disprove that you own this dahil anak mo, pumupronta," he told Lacson.
"We were getting close to getting you," he said referring to the lawmaker.
The former commissioner said, the lawmaker's son is Managing Director of the company Bonjorno ('good morning' in Italian).
The firm was supposedly established in 2015 with a capital of P 20,000.
Faeldon said Bonjorno is known in the cement industry as a top smuggler.
He also said Lacson Jr. tried to meet him five times at the conference room of the Commissioner's office, but he did not see his guest.
The senator is attending a hearing today in the Senate.
He is expected to answer the allegations Faeldon hurled against him.
He said he will just review the statements made by Faeldon at the press conference.
