Metro Manila (CNN Philippines, August 28) — Outgoing Customs Chief Nicanor Faeldon gave himself credit on Monday for his short stint as commissioner, though with one regret.
Speaking to CNN Philippines’ The Source, he cited the Bureau of Customs’ achievements under his leadership.
“Figures won’t lie… Let’s talk about cigarettes — [51 million] ang nahuli nang [was caught in] six years. Ako po, [I caught] 6 billion in just one month [for] cigarette fraud… We have all the figures to back this up. If they say we failed, check the figures,” Faeldon said.
When asked what he thought his biggest “failure” was, Faeldon responded, “Having lack of the full control of everyone.”
“If you cannot control your people, then they can do…” he said, leaving his sentence unfinished.
Faeldon came under fire over a P6.4 billion drug shipment that slipped through the Bureau of Customs (BOC) in May 2017. Then he was tagged in allegations of corruption by Senator Panfilo “Ping Lacson” during his privilege speech last Wednesday.
Related: Lacson links Faeldon to alleged Customs corruption
Faeldon has maintained his innocence and has since fired back, alleging that Lacson’s son Panfilo Jr. — also known as Pampi — has been smuggling cement through undervaluing his shipments. Lacson has denied the accusation.
Related: Faeldon accuses Lacson, son of smuggling
While Faeldon has acknowledged that some workers in the BOC are corrupt, he cited other achievements.
It was under his term that tobacco giant Mighty Corp. was discovered to have been evading taxes, resulting in their P25 billion payment to the government.
Faeldon also said that they confiscated P8 billion worth of drugs in one year, the same amount in six previous years.
He also revealed that there were deliberating on 1,400 cases of importers and brokers that they are expecting to finish on September 15.
“I have filed at least six criminal charges already against importers,” said Faeldon. “We did not announce that. I have decided 800 cases already, and [they] have been suspended and cancelled.”
The outgoing commissioner also called out legislators for not providing them the means to crack down on smugglers.
“I’m asking you, senators, congressmen: Why did you fail to support the requirements of the Bureau? You all know we only have a capacity of 16 percent in subjecting these containers to x-rays… and you blame me,” said Faeldon.
“Come on, it’s your job to make sure that agencies have the capability to do their job.”
Faeldon had previously expressed that the Bureau of Customs was not capable of scanning 84 percent of shipments due to the lack of x-rays.
Congressmen threatened to allot “zero budget” to the Bureau after Faeldon’s Chief of Staff hit House Speaker Pantaleon Alvarez for suggesting the abolition of the Court of Appeals.
Related: X-rays for shipment have never detected drugs – Customs Commissioner
President Rodrigo Duterte has stood by Faeldon. Speaking to the press in Pampanga, he described Faeldon as “downhearted.”
“I don’t know if he’s willing to work again or not… And maybe there are positions in government that would not need the consent of the Commission on Appointments, or otherwise Congress,” said Duterte on Monday.
He added that he advised Faeldon to take a vacation before they spoke again.
When asked if he was open to being re-appointed elsewhere, Faeldon said, “I always want to serve the country, whether in the government or the private sector.”
But Faeldon added he is prioritizing rest after he officially exits the position on Thursday. He added that he had a mild heart attack during his term.
“I need to rest… I need my freedom for the time being. And of course, I also want to attend to all these charges,” he said.
