Press Release
June 18, 2009

As increasing rate of smuggling continue to attack RP
ANGARA FIGHTS FOR MORE SERIOUS AND EFFECTIVE VEHICLE
TO CURB SMUGGLING

Senator Edgardo J. Angara today urged his colleagues to pass a bill which seeks to rationalize the forfeiture and disposition of property sized by the Bureau of Customs (BOC).

"We should not tolerate this advantageous act and let it linger while the law abiding people who works hard to render goods and services gets less because of smugglers," said Angara who chairs the Senate Committee on Finance.

He added, "there should be more effort to support legal business and sharper tool to place illegals to bars".

SB 905 seeks to rationalize the disposition and forfeiture of goods seized by the BOC and to advance the disposition, once approved the bill will empower the Secretary of Finance to summarily seize and sell the confiscated goods.

Angara added that by amending certain sections on Tariff and Customs Code of the Philippines will ensure the success of the country in its drive against smuggling.

SB 905 upholds strong provisions on; property subject to sale in conditions set by BOC, disqualification to participate in auction, this is to stop dummy bidders of the smugglers in participating in an auction, disposition of articles liable to deterioration, all cases involving articles liable to deterioration shall be exclusive to the collector and shall be final on the matter where auction will be held not later than 2 days after public notice, disposition of unsold articles, custom authorities shall sell goods at a price not less than the wholesale value

A new section will also be included which says that, decisions of the Sec of Finance upon recommendation of the BOC will be final and unappealable. Properties which are imported in to the country without necessary permit or payment shall be summarily seized and forfeited in favor of the government. This is to clear that no court, except the Supreme Court will issue TRO.

"Smugglers themselves should not be allowed to profit from their own violation of our custom laws. They should be barred from involvement in auction sales of the very items they brought in fraudently," said Angara.

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