IKOT.PH
Are big-time smugglers untouchable? This was the question raised by Senator Kiko Pangilinan during the Senate Committee on Agriculture, Food, and Agrarian Reform’s public hearing when he learned that most of the agricultural smuggling cases have been dismissed because of a lack of sufficient evidence. “Kung apat lang (na kaso) ang nafa-file sa court sa […]
The Bureau of Customs (BOC) has gained the support of the Federation of Filipino-Chinese Chambers of Commerce and Industry, Inc. (FFCCCII) for its ongoing reforms anchored on integrity, accountability, and modernization. Since his appointment, Commissioner Ariel Nepomuceno has pursued sweeping governance measures, including the Anti-Conflict of Interest Policy, the strict “No Take” Policy, and tighter […]
The Bureau of Customs (BOC) has relieved nine Customs personnel linked to a reported extortion incident at the Ninoy Aquino International Airport (NAIA) Terminal 3 and has implemented a 24-hour complaint reporting policy to ensure immediate action on personnel misconduct. The incident, which occurred in June 2025, is now the subject of a full-blown investigation […]
The Senate adopted a resolution concurring in the ratification of the Convention on Temporary Admission subject to certain reservations allowed under the treaty. Senator Koko Pimentel III, chairman of the Committee on Foreign Affairs, said Senate Resolution 832 or the Convention on Temporary Admission and its various Annexes constitute the international codification of the ATA […]
Senator Dick Gordon, Chairman of the Senate Blue Ribbon Committee, slammed the Anti-Money Laundering Council (AMLC) for not acting promptly on the Bureau of Customs’ (BoC) report that a certain individual was caught for non-declaration of $700,000 money in cash in 2019. Gordon stressed that since the BoC has already notified AMLC, the latter should […]
Senator Sonny Angara has reminded the Bureau of Customs (BOC) to strictly implement the Customs Modernization and Tariff Act (CMTA) that mandates a less intrusive examination of balikbayan boxes brought into the country. “Malinaw sa ating batas na hindi na pwedeng basta nalang bubuksan at kakalkalin ang mga balikbayan box. We pushed for this law […]
Senator Richard Gordon said President Rodrigo Duterte was right when he said there is “lawless violence” at the Bureau of Customs (BOC), stressing that the Philippines is now “under siege” due to the seemingly unrestricted entry of illegal drugs in the country’s ports. Gordon stressed hearings conducted by the Senate Committee on Accountability of Public […]
As the Senate Blue Ribbon Committee continues its probe into the P4.3 billion worth of shabu which were smuggled inside two magnetic lifters at the Manila International Container Port and the close to P9 billion worth of shabu also smuggled inside four similar magnetic lifters which were found in GMA, Cavite, Senator Dick Gordon called […]
With illegal drugs, particularly shabu, and various smuggled commodities still slipping past the Bureau of Customs (BOC), Senator Dick Gordon has proposed changes in the bureau’s policy to address the unabated entry of smuggled shipments. “Sinabi namin noon na P900 billion ang nawawala sa gobyerno dahil sa uncollected duties and taxes. There has been a […]
Senator Koko Pimentel III on Monday said he was planning on summoning officials of the Bureau of Customs (BOC) to explain and account for the “slower movement and longer delays” in the release of merchandise arriving at the Port of Manila, additionally noting that the port’s inefficiency is causing the economy billions of pesos in […]