BIAZON'S SIDE, MY TAKE

In the interest of fair play, here is Customs Commissioner Rufino Biazon’s side on the rampant smuggling of rice and oil, from a story in the manilastandardtoday.com website:

In a press conference, Biazon said if reports that P32 billion worth of agricultural and P30 billion worth of petroleum products were smuggled into the country in 2012 alone were true, “then the World Customs Organization (WCO) would not have invited me to speak (in Panama where he had come from).

My take:  Of course, he will be invited since he is the Customs chief. The WCO is NOT STUPID to invite the Finance secretary, Biazon’s boss, or the secretary of any other department like Justice, to speak on Customs matters.

Biazon questioned the P32-billion computation of Abono chairman and Swine Development Council Director Rosendo So, BASED ON CUSTOMS RECORDS,”  on the rice, chicken, onions and other agricultural produce which were illegally brought into the country, describing the issue as “not that simple.”

My take: Biazon DID NOT CITE ANY BASIS, like formulas or more accurate Customs records, for his doubt on So’s figures. Neither did he give his own estimate of the amount involved.

Biazon said the WCO recognized the Philippines’ efforts to fight smuggling.

My take: He DID NOT PRESENT any written recognition, nor revealed exactly what iit purportedly said.

Biazon said “we’re exerting all efforts to fight smuggling.”

My take:  He DID NT SPECIFY the supposed efforts. He did not give any idea what’s it all about, when was it started, who conceived it and what’s the success rate, if any.

Biazon said measures were being undertaken to curb oil smuggling.

My take: What exactly are these measures? When were these started? More importantly, how come oil smuggling is at a staggering P40 billion a year if there are indeed measures to fight it?

Biazon said Customs was in close coordination with the Finance Department on how to limit the importation of petroleum to specific ports for easier tracking.

My take: Biazon has been Customs commissioner for more than two years. And yet,, HE’S STILL IN THE COORDINATION PHASE for a new strategy to control oil smuggling.

WHAT THE HELL then has he been doing about it since he took office? Has he ever done anything? If yes what? If no, why not?

Biazon said unnamed groups, with an alias Mr. G as the brains, was working to oust him. But he did not give details.

My take: LUMANG GIMMICK  na iyan.

Mga kababayan, kayo na ang humatol! 30