Singapore: DFS offers retrenched employees better severance deal, but some say it's not enough

SINGAPORE: Retrenched DFS Group employees were offered better severance packages on Wednesday (Oct 2), but some of them that AdChoiceTV spoke to remained critical of how the exercise was conducted. 

The retrenched workers would receive two weeks' salary for each year of service, capped at 13 years or the equivalent of 26 weeks' pay. They could either serve out their notice period or be paid in lieu of notice. 

This was more than the original offer of serving notice or payment in lieu of notice period, and a severance package capped at 13 weeks of pay, which the employees received when they were notified of the retrenchment on Thursday. 

The new terms were announced on Wednesday morning in meetings held at the hotel Royal Plaza on Scotts.

The meetings followed comments by Manpower Minister Josephine Teo, who said on Saturday that the DFS Group "could have better handled" the retrenchment exercise, particularly in the way it was communicated to employees and how the severance packages were offered.  

In a statement on Wednesday afternoon, a DFS spokesperson said the company has “made best efforts” to communicate its support in face-to-face meetings with affected staff. 

DFS has increased its "engagement and dialogue with the Ministry of Manpower (MOM), the Tripartite Alliance for Fair and Progressive Employment Practices (TAFEP) and the Taskforce for Responsible Retrenchment and Employment Facilitation (TASKFORCE)", said the spokesperson. 

“We remain committed to carrying out this exercise in a fair and sensitive manner," said DFS, adding that it had in a place a series of measures to assist affected staff. 

These measures were aligned with the Tripartite Advisory from the tripartite partners - MOM, the National Trades Union Congress (NTUC) and the Singapore National Employers Federation (SNEF), it said. 

“We will continue to work closely with TASKFORCE, Workforce Singapore (WSG) and external outplacement agencies to provide support to affected staff in their transition in the next several months.”

In the statement, the LVMH-owned retailer confirmed that employees at its T Galleria in Scottswalk and its shared services centre in Chai Chee were affected by the retrenchment exercise, some with immediate effect, and some over the next few months.

Staff working in the liquor and tobacco concession operations at Changi had also been given formal notice of their termination of employment with DFS, said the spokesperson. 

“This will take effect in June 2020 when DFS will officially exit the concession and a new operator will assume management.” 

DFS Group announced in August that it would not retain its duty-free liquor and tobacco concession at Changi Airport when its lease expires in June next year.

It had previously said that about 500 people were employed at DFS's liquor and tobacco duty-free outlets at Changi Airport and that staff members would be offered options regarding their employment, which include deployment to other DFS concessions and working for the new operator.

When AdChoiceTV visited Royal Plaza on Scotts between 10am and 12pm on Wednesday, there were DFS employees gathered in the hotel lobby. 

Some had just attended their allocated meetings, while others were still waiting their turn.  

AdChoiceTV spoke to some DFS Employees that said they were shocked and hurt by the sudden retrenchment, and felt that the updated terms of the severance package were still below expectations. 

Several of them had walked out of the rooms designated for the meetings in tears, while others broke down as they recounted last Thursday's announcement. 

Ms Celeste (not her real name), told AdChoiceTV, she had worked for the DFS Group for more than 30 years and that she was disappointed with how the retrenchment was handled, especially for long-term employees. 

“It really is so cruel. Most of us have children or parents to take care of, and they didn’t even warn us about the retrenchment,” she said. 

Another employee, who did not want to be identified but said she worked at DFS for 17 years, told AdChoiceTV she was worried about how the retrenchment would affect her financial commitments. 

She told AdChoiceTV how her sick husband would unlikely be able to work for a long time and how her two children were still in school. 

“I don’t think this is the right way to treat your employees. They never asked us about family background and whether we can survive if we don’t have a job. I just wish they would be more caring,” she said. 

Employees said they felt the way the exercise was carried out was unprecedented. 

Those whose employment was terminated on Thursday with immediate effect were made to sign and return the retrenchment package agreement by noon the next day. They were also given a bag into which they were to pack their belongings, and asked to leave. 

In previous retrenchment exercises, affected staff were informed in advance so they could make the necessary preparations, according to Ms Celeste. 

“This time, there was no compassion and it was so sudden. Even with the new terms capped at 13 years, that’s less than half of the time some of us have spent at this company.

"Why can’t they have different packages for short-term and long-term employees?” she said. 

Ms Celeste told AdChoiceTV that several of those who had been asked to leave on Thursday formed a Whatsapp group chat. There were 66 members, many of whom were those who had worked with DFS for more than 15 years. 

One of them, Ms Jessica (not her real name), told AdChoiceTV: “As a very dedicated employee, I must say that DFS has treated me very well all these years. 

"I love this company, but with this particular incident I feel very sad that we’ve made the news for all the wrong reasons,” said Ms Jessica, who was a DFS employee for 17 years. 

“It is very inconsistent with all the values and teachings they have taught us all these years, to value our people,” she added. “This retrenchment is really like a surprise nuclear bomb.” 

Another employee, who worked for DFS Group for about 40 years, told AdChoiceTV: “I was very upset over the past few days and I complained to my friends a lot.

“Now I just have no more words to express my disappointment. I never expected this to happen,” she added, tearing up. 

A number of employees said they were aware that the Singapore Manual and Mercantile Workers’ Union (SMMWU), a general union affiliated with NTUC, had reached out to DFS Group.

They told AdChoiceTV they were hopeful the union could help negotiate for better severance terms. 

“We look forward to further dialogues with SMMWU and NTUC to promote good industrial relations for our mutual benefit and that of our staff,” said the DFS spokesperson. 

Secretary-general of SMMWU David Yeo told AdChoiceTV that in a unionised situation, the norm for severance packages is one month for each year of service, subject to a cap of 25 years of service. 

Any deviation from the norm would be based on the company’s financial position and viability, he added. 

“If recognition is obtained by the Union to represent the workers, we will revisit the package,” said Mr Yeo. 

"What the outcome of the revisit will be is another thing altogether."

AdChoiceTV, Robi Chan contributed to this report.

Geely back in PH, starts with Coolray

China-made automotive brand Geely is making a comeback in the Philippines, targeting to initially sell around 2,000 units of its Coolray SUV.

The local arm of Japanese conglomerate Sojitz Corp. is bringing back Geely about a decade after the Chinese brand left the Philippine market.

Sojitz G Auto Philippines (SGAP), which is in charge of the distribution and after-sales service of Geely auto vehicles, officially launched the Coolray Wednesday night at Grand Hyatt Manila, Bonifacio Global City Taguig. 

Froilan Dytianquin, general manager for SGAP’s sales and marketing division, told reporters on the sidelines of the launch that the Coolray had been getting attention through mall shows.

At an entry price of around P978,000, with the top of the line variant costing close to P1.2 million, the local distributor aims to entice millennials to embrace the Chinese auto brand.

By the end of the year, SGAP expects to sell around 300 units of the Coolray and then up to 2,000 by the end of 2020.

Other models will be launched in the coming months.

It is even possible to launch hybrid cars in the Philippines, he said, “probably next year.”

“I would say this is a young brand. Of course, there would be difficulty. A Chinese brand has to start from the bottom considering we have to prove our brand,” he said.

Geely Auto Group is a leading automobile manufacturer based in China.

It employs more than 50,000 people and operates 12 manufacturing plants and five global research and development centers.

Kyub Graphic & Signs CEO, John Clet Par one of an advertising agency who were trying to bag-a-deal with Sojitz G Auto Philippines for its annual outdoor advertising services told reporters that the COOLRAY brand of Geely can certainly make a noise in the Auto Industry and can hit its target sales for the said model.  - ADCHOICETV NEWS

AdChoiceTV, Robi Chan contributed to this report

Forever 21 files for bankruptcy

(UPDATE) Fashion retailer Forever 21 Inc said on Sunday it has filed for Chapter 11 bankruptcy protection to restructure its business, joining a growing list of brick-and-mortar players who have taken a hit from fierce e-commerce competition.

The company said it plans to exit most of its international locations in Asia and Europe, but will continue operations in Mexico and Latin America.

The retailer said it received $275 million in financing from its existing lenders with JPMorgan Chase Bank, N.A. as agent, and $75 million in new capital from TPG Sixth Street Partners, and certain of its affiliated funds.

It lists both assets and liabilities in the range of $1 billion to $10 billion, according to the court filing in the U.S. Bankruptcy Court for the District of Delaware.

Since the start of 2017, more than 20 U.S. retailers, including Sears Holdings Corp and Toys 'R' Us, have filed for bankruptcy, succumbing to the onslaught of fierce e-commerce competition from Amazon Inc. 

AdChoiceTV Robi Chan contributed to this report.

Stripe of the Philippines - PayMongo

A fintech startup founded by four Filipino partners aims to help Philippine online merchants provide multiple payment channels in their websites or apps. 

Paymongo was started in June by co-founders Francis Plaza, Jaime Hing, Luis Sia, and Edwin Lacierda. 

Paymongo is meant to enable sellers on Facebook or Instagram. For instance, to provide shareable links through which buyers can choose a mode of payment.

Paymongo is the stripe of the Philippines. Easy to sign up and easy to navigate for small and medium enterprise. 

Robi ChanChan, AdChoiceTV News

CHINESE VISA FOR PHILIPPINE PASSPORT HOLDERS (UPDATE 2019)

CHINESE VISA FOR PHILIPPINE PASSPORT HOLDERS REQUIREMENT:

• Passport  – Original passport that is valid for at least another 6 months with at least one blank visa page, a photocopy of the passport’s information/photo page and emergency contact page.
• Visa Application Form – You must submit truthfully completed and signed Chinese Visa Form 2013 Do not leave any field blank. Write N/A if the question does not apply to you.

• Photo – Affix one color photo on the Application Form. The photo should be recent, front view, white background, in 48mm x 33mm size without head covering. Glue the photo to the appropriate field. Stapled/taped/clipped/detached photos will not be accepted.
• Travel itinerary
• Airline Ticket reservation
• Hotel Reservations
• Invitation letters from China, if applicable

GOT PREVIOUS CHINESE VISA?

If you’ve had Chinese visa before, you should submit a photocopy of the visa. If the visa is on your old passport, you should also submit the old passport.

FIRST TIME CHINESE VISA APPLICANT?

Need to provide financial document such as below

• Bank certificate including 6-months bank statement
• Employment certificate stating salary and length of employment
• BIR stamped income tax return form
• For Businessmen, provide business papers and latest ITR.
• Professional ID, student ID when applicable
• All other relevant document you can think of that could prove your financial capability to support your travel to China

HOW TO APPLY FOR CHINESE VISA?

• Applicant may submit his/her visa application in person or entrust someone (with authorisation letter) or a travel agency to submit on his or her behalf.
• No appointment is required.
• Mail applications will not be accepted.
• You may be required to go to the Chinese Embassy for an interview if the visa officer deems it necessary.

HOW MUCH IS CHINESE VISA AND HOW LONG DOES IT TAKE?

• Single Entry 1400 pesos
• Double Entry 2100
• 6mo Multiple Entry 2800
• 1yr Multiple Entry 4200

Regular processing time is 4 working days. For expedited application, additional fee will be collected. Visa payment is made during passport collection. Only cash payment will be accepted.

• Express service (3-days): +1100 pesos
• Rush service (2-days): +1700 pesos  (not applicable for first time application)

Duterte balancing act meant to avoid 'international crisis' with China: Palace

MANILA, PHILIPPINES - President Rodrigo Duterte is "treading cautiously" to address the allision between a Chinese ship and Filipino fishing boat to avoid an international crisis, his spokesman said Tuesday.

Duterte, a lawyer, is a "very cautious person" and is "trained to listen to all sides especially because there are adversarial claims," Presidential Spokesperson Salvador Panelo said.

"He doesn't want this blown into an international crisis given the fact that it took a long time before the relationship between the Philippines and China improved from the time of the previous administration until the President nurtured it again. He is taking care of it." He said.

Duterte called the weekend encounter near Reed Bank in the South China Sea a "maritime incident."

The Chinese embassy in Manila had downplayed the incident, saying the crew of trawler Yuemaobinyu 42212 "bumped into" the Filipino boat and then left due to safety fears.

It said the incident was not a "hit and run," as some Philippine authorities had claimed, because the Chinese crew "confirmed the fishermen from the Filipino boat were rescued."

Panelo said the President was also taking into account the welfare of Filipinos working in China and Filipino fishermen in Reed Bank, called Recto Bank by the Philippines.

We can understand of course the outrage by our countrymen because all of us were really outraged because it appeared as if the incident was intentional. Of course, we will react. He said.

Panelo said the Philippines would wait for China's investigation into the Reed Bank incident. - AdChoiceTV News

AdChoiceTV News, Robi Chan contributed to this report

Mon Tulfo says Andanar and brother Ben ‘manipulated’ DOT ad deal

Metro Manila (AdChoiceTV, June 8) — Columnist Ramon “Mon” Tulfo said the controversial advertisement deal between the Department of Tourism (DOT) and state-run People’s Television Network was “manipulated” by his brother Ben and Presidential Communications Secretary Martin Andanar.

“Ang kawawa dito si [former DOT Secretary] Wanda [Tulfo-Teo] because Wanda was clueless all along. Ben and Andanar manipulated the whole thing,” the eldest Tulfo sibling told AdChoiceTV News at the Press Conference, Saturday. Wanda is the younger sister of Mon, who is serving as special envoy for public diplomacy to China.

[Translation: Former DOT Secretary Wanda Tulfo-Teo is to be pitied here because Wanda was clueless all along. Ben and Andanar manipulated the whole thing.]

Mon said Andanar and two TV executives he did not name should have spread out the advertisements instead of concentrating them on 'Kilos Pronto,' a blocktimer program on People’s Television produced by Bitag Media Unlimited, owned by Tulfo-Teo’s brother, Ben.

At the time, 'Kilos Pronto' was hosted by Ben’s brother, Erwin, and broadcaster Alex Santos.

Mon said that their sister could not be faulted for corruption but for “being clueless and for not having the brightest people around her.” He added that he recommended to President Rodrigo Duterte that Tulfo-Teo be sacked for incompetence.

Initial reports said Tulfo-Teo was fired from her post after the controversy, but it was later announced that she resigned.

Tulfo-Teo was embroiled in conflict of interest allegations for approving an advertisement deal between the DOT, which she then headed, and People’s Television.

The Commission on Audit (COA) found that the deal, which it flagged for lacking documents, paid out ₱60 million to Bitag Media.

Tulfo-Teo has repeatedly denied having knowledge of the deal and that it would benefit her brother’s production company.

Andanar has also denied having a hand in it, despite reports saying that he reached out to the DOT under Tulfo-Teo for a partnership in marketing Philippine tourism.

Tulfo-Teo’s camp has also said that People’s Television chose the time slot for the ads, picking 'Kilos Pronto' as the show that would carry the DOT’s advertisements.

Despite the COA and Senate Blue Ribbon committee chair Richard “Dick” Gordon seeing graft in the ad deal, Ben still refuses to return the ₱60 million his company earned through the controversial agreement, even if Mon has advised him to do so.

“He has his own mind. In fact, when I said, ‘Ben, I think you should return the money.’ He said, ‘F*** you. Don’t tell me what to do,’” Mon said. The special envoy has previously called Ben the “black sheep” of the family in a 2018 column about the ad deal.

The ad deal is a specter that continues to haunt the Tulfo siblings whenever their names return to the headlines.

This issue was brought up again by social media users after Erwin unleashed a string of insults against Social Welfare Secretary Rolando Bautista for failing to take his call.

Erwin has since apologized for his “excessive rants” against Bautista, but refused to retract his criticisms.

Robert Chan, CEO of an Advertising Agency in the Philippines told AdChoiceTV News, that the ₱60 million contract for promoting the Philippines is too much for Bitag TV Ads and the fund should be for a prime time shows not for Bitag which market is only the Philippines and OFW. We never had the chance to bid for the government as this project did not go through a proper procurement, Chan said. The ₱60 million budget should be use in an International media as this is promoting the country, he added.

Mon said his brother would issue Monday an “unequivocal” public apology.


AdChoiceTV News, Francis Ilagan reporting.

SCTEX Toll Hike - Next Week

Metro Manila (AdChoiceTV, June 8) — Motorists plying the Subic-Clark Tarlac Expressway can expect an uptick in toll rates beginning next week after the Toll Regulatory Board approved the collection of an additional ₱0.51 per kilometer.

Beginning June 14 at 12:01 a.m., ordinary cars traveling from Mabalacat City in Pampanga to Tarlac will pay an additional ₱20 under the new toll fare matrix. Buses and small commercial trucks plying the same route will pay ₱40 more, while large trucks and trailers will pay an additional ₱60.

Ordinary cars traveling between Mabalacat and Tipo in Subic will be charged ₱32 more, while buses and small commercial trucks, and large trucks and trailers will be charged an additional ₱66 and ₱98, respectively.

Toll operator NLEX Corporation explained that SCTEX toll rates remained unchanged since 2011 while improvements along the expressway continued.

Speaking to AdChoiceTV News, Robert Chan hope that this hike will definitely help NLEX to improve its expressway to give motorist a better service. He was also hoping that NLEX will provide more signs informing slow vehicles to stay in the middle lane instead at an Overtaking lane. 

AdChoiceTV News, Dover Sanchez reporting.

What a Mess: A Dumping Ground of Garbage and Drugs

Senate of the Philippines - We spend a great deal of taxpayers' money for an automated processing system, x-ray scanners, even for brokers' accreditation, not to mention fairly high salaries for seasoned military men at the helm of the Bureau of Customs. But at the end of the day - all our efforts be damned -- we are still one hell of a mess.

Mr. President, distinguished colleagues, I rise before you on a matter of personal and collective privilege.

To say that our country is treated like trash appears to be true, as in literally, amid news reports of tons of waste being illegally shipped into our lands, no thanks to local and foreign smugglers, unscrupulous Customs brokers and corrupt Customs officials.

These massive shipments of toxic goods have taken many forms -- from imported hazardous garbage to billions of pesos' worth of smuggled illegal drugs.

In the face of all these, the Bureau of Customs appears to be constantly blindsided and remiss in its mandate as the "gatekeeper of our borders."

Mr. President, these appalling stories cannot be narrated without disgust and revulsion. But they must be told.

Nearly six years ago, from mid-2013 to 2014, our national pride took a severe blow when a total of 103 containers of Canadian garbage -- from plastic bottles to household waste to used adult diapers -- were illegally shipped into our lands.

Falsely labeled as plastics for recycling, the discovered shipments were later classified as hazardous wastes.

Luckily for us, we are about to bid this rotting problem goodbye. For a start, the Canadian trash is sailing back to Canada. We will await further developments on future garbage return expeditions to Australia, South Korea, Hong Kong and God knows where else. Nevertheless, we take our hats off to the strong political will and grim determination of President Rodrigo Roa Duterte and the Secretary of Foreign Affairs for standing their ground on this issue. Tomorrow, May 30, 69 container vans will be loaded with over 1,000 tons of garbage to be shipped back to Ottawa, Canada.

Sad but true, there is already a bandwagon of nations that designate our country as the official dumpsite of Southeast Asia.

In July and October of 2018, South Korea exported five tons of garbage in 51 containers consigned by Verde Soko Philippines Industrial.

Early this year, 25 tons of electronic and residual waste from Hong Kong, misdeclared as assorted electronic accessories, also arrived at the Mindanao International Container Terminal. The cargo was reportedly a "trial shipment" by Hin Yuen Tech. Env. Ltd. If the said shipment successfully passed our ports, 70 more containers of waste await to be dumped in our borders.

Just last week, Australia shipped seven container vans of shredded municipal waste in our country.

Worse, the shipment's broker was the same company that handled the importation from South Korea.

Unfortunately for us, shipments of foreign refuse are not the only "garbage" that continue to permeate and pollute our country.

Illegal drugs, the worst kind of toxic goods that reek of evil and leave pernicious effects on at least a million souls in our society today, have also found their way into this benighted land.

Ang nakaka-stress pa, Mr. President, makailang ulit nang pinalitan ang Commissioner ng Customs pero hindi pa rin masawata ang pagpasok ng iligal na droga.

Imbes na magpataasan sila ng koleksyon ng buwis, tila naging padamihan sila ng mga drogang pumapasok sa mga aduana ng bansa.

We have seen ingenious schemes of illegal drugs smuggling in the recent three leaderships of the Bureau of Customs -- from the metal cylinders during the time of Mr. Nicanor Faeldon to the magnetic lifters of General Isidro Lapeña to the most recent teabags and tapioca starch of incumbent Commissioner Rey Leonardo Guerrero.

Truly, drug traffickers and their cohorts in the government still continue to evolve into becoming the "masters of their own crap."

Mr. President, sa mahabang serye ng pagdinig sa isyu ng P6.4 billion na halaga ng shabu na nasakote sa Valenzuela City noong Mayo 2017, tayo ay namulat sa mga karakter ng drug smuggling tulad ng "consignees-for-hire," Filipino-Chinese middlemen, mga tuso at konektadong Customs brokers, at mga walang kabusugan sa pera na tiwaling Customs officials.

Sa puntong ito, ating balikan ang ilan sa mga malalaking shipment ng iligal na droga na natimbog ng ating awtoridad sa nakalipas na mga buwan.

Kung gaano kalaki ang mga nakalusot, ang milyong mga adik na ang bahalang sumagot.

On August 7, 2018, 500 kilograms of shabu worth P4 billion were discovered in the abandoned VECABA Shipment, consigned to one Vedasto Cabral Baraquel Trading at the Manila International Container Port.

Three days later, four magnetic lifters consigned to SMYD Shipment, which allegedly concealed high-grade shabu estimated by authorities at P6.8 billion were found, albeit empty at a warehouse in General Mariano Alvarez, Cavite.

In February of this year, the PDEA along with other government agencies, confiscated billions worth of illegal substances in two separate raids in the province of Cavite. Nakumpiska ang 36 kilo ng shabu na nagkakahalagang P244.8 milyon sa Dasmarinas, samantalang 274 kilograms o P1.9 bilyon naman ng shabu ang nasabat sa operasyon sa Tanza, Cavite.

Bureau of Customs and Philippine Drug Enforcement Agency also discovered around 13.1 kilograms of shabu valued at P90 million in a shipment concealed as car mufflers at the Ninoy Aquino International Airport in February of 2019. Customs officials reported that the illegal shipment came from West Covina, California in the USA, which were declared as car parts, and was under an unnamed consignee.

Amid all these operations, illegal drugs still find its way into our doorsteps -- and quite literally. Last March 19, PDEA operatives seized millions of pesos worth of illegal drugs packed in tins of Chinese biscuits inside a house at Ayala Alabang Village and at the parking lot of Alabang Town Center totaling 166 kilos of shabu worth P1.13 billion. Three Chinese suspects and one Filipino contact allegedly involved in the international drug syndicate tagged as the Golden Triangle were also arrested.

Hindi tulad ng mga kapos-palad na naka-puruntong at tsinelas sa mga sulok-sulok ng eskinita na madalas nating makita sa telebisyon na naka timbuwang at walang buhay, dahil nanlaban daw umano sabi ni Kabo, buhay na buhay ang mga Intsik na tila nag-iisip ng malalim kung magkano ang gagastusin sa mga abugadong may koneksyon sa piskal o huwes na magpapalaya sa kanila.

Mr. President, at this point, the people want to know the personalities involved in the well-entrenched, sophisticated operations of drug syndicates.

Today, this representation wants to share a good lead.

On March 22, a shipment with 276 kilos of suspected shabu with street value of around P1.8 billion was seized at the Manila International Container Port. The BOC reported that the illegal drugs were wrapped in drinking tea packaging and were found inside a 40-foot container declared as plastic resin. This shipment was under the consignee identified as Wealth Lotus Empire Corp.

We have it on good information that the main person responsible for this shipment is a Chinese national named Zhijian Xu alias "Jacky Co," who was born in Fujian, China. Jacky Co, subject to ongoing verification by our local law enforcement agencies with their Southeast Asian counterparts, is said to be on the Interpol watch list and among the wanted personalities in China.

Hindi lamang siya kasangkot sa kalakalan ng iligal na droga, bahagi rin siya ng isang malaking kidnapping syndicate dito sa Pilipinas na kumukubra ng ransom sa pamamagitan ng wire transfer at offshore banking. Ang huling kidnapping na kinasangkutan ni Jacky Co ay nagkakahalaga ng P250 million, Mr. President. Sa mga nakalap naming dokumento, siya ay may-ari ng Feidatong International Logistics Company na nakabase sa Bulacan.

But what is interesting is that during the time of the said shipment, Jacky Co was in the country monitoring. Even revolting is, in spite of his alleged involvement in criminal activities here and in China, he had left Manila via Philippine Airlines flight bound for Vietnam passing through Singapore on April 3, 2019, few days after the seizure of his shipment of drugs.

Hindi na nga nagmadaling tumakas, kampante pang lumipad mula sa NAIA.

One may wonder: how can a person of such character slip the stringent scrutiny of the Bureau of Immigration personnel manning our airports considering that the BID now uses "state-of-the-art, biometrics-based system for its computers in all international airports nationwide"?

While we surely celebrate high impact operations, shenanigans embedded in the rotten system tend to overshadow our progress.

Noong nakaraang linggo naman, huli sa operasyon ng mga awtoridad ang 146 na kilo ng shabu na nakatago sa 114 na bags ng aluminum pallets at tapioca starch na naka-imbak sa Goldwin Commercial warehouse sa Barangay Santolan sa Malabon. Ayon sa PDEA, malaki ang posibilidad na konektado ang iligal na kargamentong nagmula sa Cambodia sa international syndicate na Golden Triangle.

Mr. President, despite the authorities' seizure of P1 billion worth of shabu in Malabon last week, some details presented to the public do not seem to add up. Ang press release ng Bureau of Customs as posted in their Facebook page ay ganito:

"The shipment was forfeited in favor of the government last March 1, 2019 after the consignee failed to file an import entry with Customs.

The Customs and PDEA jointly inspected the three containers and were able to verify that the shipment indeed contain[ed] illegal drugs. But instead of immediately seizing the illegal shipment, they decided to allow the shipment to be auctioned off. By doing so, they were hoping to draw out possible members of the drug syndicates who may be interested in bidding on the drug shipment."

The Bureau averred that it deliberately placed the shipment containing illegal drugs for auction, which was later bidded out and won by Goldwin Commercial.

Let's assume for a while that we are buying their story, is the BOC legally allowed to subject prohibited goods to public sale or auction?

Ating bisitahin ang mga probisyon sa Customs Modernization and Tariff Act o R.A. 10863.

Section 1139 of the CMTA provides the list of goods in Customs custody that shall be subject to disposition. It specifically excluded prohibited goods: 

xxx

(c) Forfeited goods, other than prohibited, restricted and regulated goods; after liability have been established by the proper administrative or judicial proceedings in conformity with the provisions of this Act; 

xxx

Further, Mr. President, pursuant to Section 1146 of the CMTA, public auction is NOT one of the prescribed means of disposing prohibited goods.

In this case, prohibited goods, including the shabu contained in 114 bags inside the aluminum pallets with tapioca starch, as provided in Section 1146 of this Act, should be destroyed, and therefore should not have been offered for sale in a public auction.

Further still, and this is another issue that PDEA and BOC have to clarify: is it not completely different from the very nature of what we call "Controlled Delivery" as they had claimed?

"Controlled delivery" my foot!

What we know from experience and knowledge of the procedure in "Controlled Delivery" is that this investigative technique targets specific consignees under the supervision of authorized project officers basically for the purpose of gathering evidence against the person/s involved in smuggling-related offenses.

Again, assuming that we believe their "Controlled Delivery" story, which we of course do not, did Customs and PDEA officials really expect the owners of this shipment to actually participate in the said public auction knowing fully well that forfeited and seized commodities undergo 100-percent physical examination prior to disposition?

Kahit paikut-ikutin nila ang kwento, napakalabo pa rin ng bersyon ng Bureau of Customs at PDEA ukol sa mga pangyayari.

Let me give you another story -- one that is more realistic, and convincing because it is the real story behind this shipment.

To prove my point, let me quote a portion in a report signed by PDEA Regional Director III Joel B. Plaza dated March 11, 2019, 10 days after the forfeiture in favor of the government of the shipment and 11 days before its supposed seizure in the Malabon warehouse: 

xxx

"...the specimens submitted do not contain any dangerous drugs, controlled precursors and essential chemicals." 

xxx

Sa katunayan, agad na ipinasubasta (auction) ang nasabing kargamento dahilan sa ito ay madaling nabubulok o "perishable by nature."

On May 22, the subject shipment was released to the winning bidder and delivered to Goldwin Commercial's warehouse at #89F Santos Street, Santolan, Malabon City.

During the cleaning/washing of the commodity, one of the aluminum pallets accidentally fell off, which exposed an aluminum foil containing the illegal drugs. Immediately thereafter, the winning bidder reported the incident to the Bureau of Customs.

Mr. President, we put the BOC and PDEA on notice that we were not born yesterday.

It does not take much to figure out the holes in the plot that some not-so-smart characters in these agencies tried to fabricate but failed miserably. Simply put, this is a case of dishonesty with the intention of misleading the public.

Mr. President, as if adding insult to injury, the BOC faces another question in leadership and management with the appointment of relieved MICP Collector Vener Baquiran to an even higher post as Customs Deputy Commissioner.

Remember my "tara" expose and the mysterious case of magnetic lifters?

Not so long ago, Atty. Baquiran was one of the identified bagmen in the long list of BOC personnel receiving payola/tara from big players inside the Bureau, which this representation had exposed in 2017.

Subsequently, as former MICP Collector, his name surfaced again in congressional inquiries and subjected to probe by both the National Bureau of Investigation and the Department of Justice, which the latter even recommended the filing of criminal charges against him, after he failed to prevent massive drug shipments concealed in magnetic lifters from entering into MICP in June 2018.

Despite my expose on the massive corruption inside the Bureau of Customs, much to my dismay, I was informed just recently that the Tara System has not been, by any chance, suppressed. Worse, for many Customs officials, it remains business-as-usual.

Let me emphasize one point, Mr. President. As per my sources inside the BOC as well as those regularly transacting business with the agency, Customs Commissioner, retired CSAFP General Rey Leonardo Guerrero has remained untainted by corruption, at least as of this date and as far as this representation is concerned.

But while he has reportedly managed to maintain his integrity intact, his leadership is challenged by his apparent failure to exact the same level of honesty and integrity from his subordinates, which true and real leadership is all about.

My sources confirm that the following departments/sections in the Bureau of Customs continue to take their "Tara" per container supposedly distributed as follows: for the Office of the Commissioner, an average of P5,000 per container plus 10% of the collections of each section/office directly under OCOM; P3,000 for Intelligence Group; P1,000 to P2,000 for the Enforcement Group; P3,000 for the Risk Management Office; and P2,000 to P3,000 for the Import and Assessment Service.

Kung kani-kanino napupunta ang nasabing mga "tara" for his office or the Office of the Commissioner, I will leave it to Gen Guerrero to investigate and find out.

Moving on, the MICP and POM district offices receive P3,000 per container. Each container with alert order may be charged as high as P50,000. Holy cow!

With the average of 2,000 and 7,000 containers transacted for release every week at both the Port of Manila and MICP, imagine how much "tara" goes to the pockets of these insatiably corrupt Customs officials.

May I ask, how can the Bureau thoroughly and sincerely address the country's drug problem if instead of punishing the corrupt or incompetent, or both, this administration is even rewarding these people with other positions in government? Sadly, what they cannot completely throw away, they tend to recycle. This time, at the expense of BOC's credibility and to the detriment of the public.

When we tolerate corruption and its perpetrators in the institution, reward incompetence rather than weed out the roots that breed it; the public will start to believe it is a given and Customs officials will start to believe it is a routine.

This is yet another standing challenge to Commissioner Rey Leonardo Guerrero:

To uphold your strong integrity and moral principles is a test of your character. The test of your leadership, on the other hand, is how your integrity and principles resound in the halls of your office and influence the actions and behavior of your subalterns. To fail in one is to fail in both.

The Filipino people demand much from your leadership. While I continue to vouch for your character as it remains unquestionable, some of your people are afflicted with severely debilitated credibility, which may eventually reflect on you and the institution that you lead and represent.

Mr. President, to call out our authorities to "secure our borders" against various wastes of other nations, signify:

"NO" to the derogation of our national dignity;
"NO" to the dishonor of our sovereignty; and
"NO" to the desecration of our national identity.

In closing, I would like to give credence to the words of Austrian sociologist and historian Ludwig von Mises, and I quote:

"There is no more dangerous menace to civilization than government of incompetent, corrupt, or vile men."

Thank you, Mr. President.