By Ferdinand Patinio
MANILA – The Bureau of Customs (BOC) is eyeing to earn some PHP220 million once 13 out of the 30 luxury vehicles of controversial contractor couple Pacifico “Curlee” Discaya II and Cezarah Rowena “Sarah” Discaya are auctioned off.
During the media viewing of the 13 vehicles at the BOC grounds in South Harbor, Manila on Wednesday, Customs Commissioner Ariel Nepomuceno said a Warrant of Seizure and Detention (WSD) was issued against these luxury vehicles after securing probable cause and confirming violations of Customs laws.
He added that seven of the vehicles have no Import Entry and no Certificate of Payment (COP) while the six other vehicles have Import Entry but either have no COP or a questionable COP. The cars were hauled into BOC custody as part of ongoing efforts to hold violators accountable and safeguard government revenues.
The BOC chief noted that the Discaya family has been given 15 days to present the proper documents, otherwise, these vehicles would be forfeited in favor of the government.
The WSD covered the following vehicles: Toyota Tundra, Toyota Sequoia, Rolls-Royce Cullinan, Mercedes-Benz AMG G63 AMG SUV, Mercedes-Benz G 500, Lincoln Navigator 2021, Bentley Bentayga, Lincoln Navigator 2024, GMC Yukon Denali, Cadillac Escalade 2021, Maserati Levante Modena, GMC Yukon XL Denali, and Cadillac Escalade ESV.
Nepomuceno added that the remaining vehicles in BOC custody are subject to transaction audit by the Post-Clearance Audit Group (PCAG).
“Our job at the BOC never stops with just seizures. We want the public to know that we are serious about the responsibilities entrusted to us, not only in our routine operations to burden our people,” he said.
Meanwhile, the BOC chief added that they have requested a meeting with the Independent Commission for Infrastructure (ICI) to submit the documents and share information in connection with the flood control mess. (PNA)
