Customs Launch Investigation on Imported Luxury Cars
The Bureau of Customs (BOC) has announced it will investigate the imported luxury cars linked to the Discayas, a family recently connected to controversial flood-control projects. Customs Commissioner Ariel Nepomuceno confirmed that the agency is taking swift action to examine these vehicles as part of its wider probe.
“Since the information has been opened, I will look into it immediately. You can be confident,” Nepomuceno said in a recent radio interview. He explained that the BOC’s authority through a Letter of Authority (LOA) enables immediate inspection of vehicles stored in commercial establishments or warehouses, but not within residential properties.
Limitations in Inspecting Residential Properties
The commissioner clarified that inspecting luxury cars in private homes requires a court order. “However, if it’s already a residential area or a house, we need a court order there. We’ll look into it,” he added. Nepomuceno also mentioned that the investigation is not limited to the Discayas alone, as social media clues have pointed to other possible cases.
“In fact, last week, we talked about it. But it’s not just Discayas. I’m looking at what’s on social media. Those are clues. It’s not just them. If we can backwards to see where those came from… But you can be assured that we’ll take action on that,” he said.
Political Context Surrounding the Flood-Control Projects
Earlier reports revealed that Pasig City Mayor Vico Sotto accused two contracting firms owned by the Discaya family of receiving the majority of government flood-control projects. These firms, Alpha & Omega Gen. Contractor & Development Corp. and St. Timothy Construction Corporation, ranked second and third among 15 contractors awarded flood mitigation contracts totaling around P100 billion.
The flood-control projects form part of the government’s larger P545-billion budget allocated from July 2022 to May 2025. The involvement of the Discayas has raised concerns due to their political ties, especially since Sarah Discaya is a rival candidate in the upcoming 2025 elections.
BOC’s Commitment to Transparency and Accountability
Officials emphasized that the BOC is committed to transparency and will continue to investigate any suspicious imports linked to government projects. The agency plans to track the origins of these luxury vehicles and ensure that all customs regulations are properly enforced.
Community members and local leaders have expressed hope that these investigations will deter corruption and promote accountability in government contracts.
For more news and updates on flood-control projects and government investigations, visit Filipinokami.com.
