Saturday, July 07, 2007 Palace dismisses consultant By Elias O. Baquero Sun.Star Staff Reporter
THE Presidential Anti-Smuggling Group (PASG) has terminated the services of a senior consultant, days after importers and brokers refused to file their import entries, resulting in an “unprecedented decrease” in the collection of duties and taxes.
Jeffrey B. Patawaran, PASG director for administration and finance, informed District Collector Ricardo Belmonte of the termination of the services of Rogelio Sangil, in a memo he sent to the Bureau of Customs (BOC) Port of Cebu.
Patawaran did not mention why Sangil was fired from his job, but a PASG source said that he (Sangil) was found to have met with unscrupulous importers and customs brokers in Cebu.
“Furthermore, all persons who are connected with Sangil using the name of our office are not authorized to represent the PASG,” read Patawaran’s memo to Belmonte.
Patawaran also informed Belmonte that Manny Laudit, the former chief of assessment of the Port of Cebu during the time of former district collector Billy Bibit, is not connected with the PASG.
Patawaran urged Belmonte to report to PASG any transactions made by Sangil and Laudit, as they may be held liable for usurpation of authority under the Revised Penal Code.
The PASG source told Sun.Star Cebu in a telephone interview that they received an intelligence report Sangil was involved in extortion activities using the PASG office. He has allegedly with importers and brokers without authority from their chief, Undersecretary Antonio Villar Jr.
No-take policy
The source said that Villar was furious after learning that Sangil and Laudit came to Cebu without his permission or a mission order, and met with the importers and customs brokers who are known to be smugglers.
“I cannot say what transpired in that meeting but it has raised suspicion that Sangil has committed lapses and has violated protocol,” said the source.
“We have a no-take policy at PASG and I warn importers and brokers to refrain from giving bribes,” the source said.
President Arroyo created PASG last May 21, 2007 through Executive Order 624 to fight smuggling.
