Ombud to charge corrupt BOC execs, says Palace

OFFICIALS of the Bureau of Customs (BOC) accused of committing corrupt activities will face administrative charges before the Office of the Ombudsman, Malacañang announced on Friday, July 19.

President Rodrigo Duterte summoned over 50 erring BOC personnel to Malacañan Palace Thursday night, July 18, and told them that they will be given their day in court.

"He (Duterte) told them that consistent with due process, they will be given their day in court," Presidential Spokesperson Salvador Panelo said in a statement.

"Administrative charges over allegations of corrupt practices in office will be filed against them before the Office of the Ombudsman, unless they opt to resign, and the prosecutors will ask for their immediate suspension," he added.

After dressing down the Customs officials and employees allegedly involved in irregularities, Duterte still thanked them for "respecting" him by accepting his invitation to meet him at Malacañan, Panelo said.

On July 11, the President told 64 BOC personnel, whose names were withheld, that they have the option to either resign or face charges for their alleged involvement in corruption.

Panelo said the Customs officials and employees would remain in "floating status without authority to act on official matters," pending the filing of cases against them.

"[Duterte] assured them that he would not begrudge them if they would avail of legal remedies to question their removal from office," he said.

"Let this serve as a reminder to all those officials or employees in the government that they cannot escape liability or accountability for their acts of corruption under the Duterte administration," he added. (SunStar Philippines)

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