Friday, October 03, 2008 Customs releases Unioil's diesel
THE Bureau of Customs (BOC) has released Unioil Petroleum Corporation's 46 million liters of diesel.
"Commissioner Napoleon Morales temporarily lifted the suspension of Unioil's import accreditation, allowing the oil company to file formal entries and pay duties and taxes for their shipment," said Fernandino Tuason, chief of the bureau's Customs Intelligence and Investigation Service.
The firm owes the government in duties and taxes representing its four shipments worth P2.3 billion, which arrived at Manila Port in different dates in May, July, and August this year.
The shipments were put on hold pending verification if Unioil had any links to Oilink International Corp., which is also under investigation for refusing to submit to government audit.
But upon investigation, Tuason said: "As far as incorporation is concern, the two companies are distinct or different from each other."
On April 23, Manila Port District Collector Horacio Suansing issued a hold order on the delivery of oil shipments to the Oilink depot due to non-payment of Oilink, a practice allowed by the Tariff and Customs Code under Section 1508.
Commissioner Morales explained that Section 1508 gives the Customs district collector power to hold the delivery or release of imported articles until such time the importer settles the tax difference with the bureau.
In most cases storing facilities of importers are padlocked and guarded until the matter is resolved. (FP/Sunnex)
