President Benigno Aquino III is keeping Customs Commissioner Alberto Lina in government despite receiving widespread criticism due to proposed tighter measures involving inspection of balikbayan boxes.
In a note to media, Communications Secretary Herminio Coloma, Jr. said it is unlikely Aquino will let go of Lina, noting the embattled commissioner still enjoys the trust of the President.
Coloma added it would be unfair to ask officials to resign every time a problem crops up. “Hindi lahat ng kanilang pinapahayag ay sinasangayunan ng mga naaapektuhan o maaaring maapektuhan ng kanilang mga desisyon o aksyon (Not all pronouncements are acceptable to affected sectors),” he said.
Coloma also noted the government respects the decision of overseas Filipino workers to participate in a “Zero Remittance Day” on August 28 as a sign of protest over the planned increase in duties and taxes on balikbayan shipments.
Senator Francisco Escudero said the country stands to lose $67 million (around P3.1 billion) if the protest pushes through.
For the past few days, the Bureau of Customs (BOC) has been receiving negative reaction from OFWs and the general public for enforcing random physical inspection on balikbayan boxes.
The BOC said the government loses P50 million in duties and taxes from misuse of balikbayan boxes. The agency said some unscrupulous traders are using the boxes to ship high-value commercial items.
But on August 24, Aquino instructed BOC to stop the practice and instead inspect balikbayan boxes using x-ray machines and K-9 dogs, opening the boxes only if they have suspicious contents.
Lina said BOC will follow the President’s orders and will “ensure the necessary checks, balances, and witnesses are present in the event that a physical inspection is made.”
Lina said he was looking at requiring the installation of x-ray machines on forwarders’ premises for balikbayan box inspection.
