(Eagle News) — Two Customs officials who were implicated last year by Senator Panfilo Lacson in the “tara” system in the bureau denied on Tuesday the allegations.
Deputy Commissioners Natalio Ecarma III and Edward James Dy Buco made the denial during a Senate blue ribbon committee hearing on corruption in the Bureau of Customs.
“I’d like to tell this honorable body and the whole nation that I categorically deny that I received, ordered or authorized anyone to collect tara… and neither have I nor will I ever tolerate anyone in the bureau or the government who does so,” Ecarma said.
Ecarma said he has already personally met with Lacson to deny the allegations.
“Just like Deputy Commissioner Ecarma, I vehemently deny the inclusion of my office and my name in the privilege speech of Senator Lacson delivered last August 23,” Buco said.
In a privilege speech last year, Lacson alleged Ecarma and Buco were among Customs officials who receive grease money from players who facilitate the entry of shipment in the country.
Lacson had also accused then-Customs chief Nicanor Faeldon of the same.
Faeldon, , now an official of the Office of the Civil Defense, has denied the allegations.
