WHAT do we do with the many names of allegedly corrupt Customs personnel that cropped up during the Senate inquiry into the huge shipment of shabu that passed regulatory checks?
With these names now revealed, the next step must be verification of their involvement in illegal practices and formalizing the complaints against them. But, as with the way things turned out in past congressional investigations and privilege speeches, nothing much can be expected to happen unless one party pursues action against the other.
Sen. Panfilo Lacson, in a privilege speech last Wednesday, named people in the Bureau of Customs as dishonest and recently-resigned Customs chief Nicanor Faeldon as the “most corrupt” in the government agency. He gave several other names of alleged big players or bagmen.
He named Charlie Tan “of the Davao Group,” David Tan, Manny Santos, Teves Group (Joel, Jonjon and John Paul, Ringo, Jerry), Tina Yu, Jerry Yu, Eric Yap, Edvic Yap, Ruben and Mark Taguba, Noel Bonvalin, George Tan, Diongenes Dennis de Rama, Henry Tan, Bim Castillo, Atty. Veneer Baquiran, Jude Logarta, Henry Tan, George Wee, Johnny Sy, Armando (Burog) and Ruel Tolentino, Jun Diamante, Vic Reyes, a certain Eunice of Davao, Gerry Yap, Arnold Saulong, Hope Arnulfo Saulong, Boy Sabater, Nero Andal, Lea Cruz, Aying Acuzar/ Eduardo Dio, Rey Tubig, Frank Wong, Chi Men, Arthur Tan, Anthony Ng, and Grace Bisaya.
He went on to identify Customs collectors and personnel located in several parts of the country, including Cebu, as those who acted as bagmen, and said that Friday is the usual day for distribution of shares. They gave TGIF (Thank God it’s Friday) a different meaning, Lacson said.
The senator cannot be brought to court for slander or for putting these people in bad light without their chance to answer the allegation. The senator enjoyed and continues to enjoy parliamentary immunity when he gave his speech about people involved in the “tara” or grease money system at the Customs bureau.
According to www.senate.gov.ph, the purpose of this privilege of speech or debate is not to protect the members against prosecutions for their own benefit but to enable them as representatives of the people to execute the functions of their office without fear of prosecution, civil or criminal.
Lacson is protected by privilege for being a senator but persons he mentioned in his speech have no such privileges. The next course of action must be to put substance to his allegations and to begin proceedings that would give these people the chance to answer the charges.
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They call it a crossover fight, meaning boxing and mixed martial arts will tangle in a battle that will be the first of its kind. That, by itself, is confusing.
Martial arts expert Conor McGregor and American boxer Floyd Mayweather Jr. will fight today inside a boxing ring. Others said they will not bother to watch this farce of a show, while I will find the time to view it for the fun of watching something new. I expect it to be a show for Sunday morning entertainment, nothing more.