ANG TANONG.... ILAN NAMAN KAYA ANG KAGAYA NIYA SA CUSTOM?? Hmmmmm... MANILA, Philippines – A Bureau of Customs (BOC) employee was arrested for demanding and receiving more than P1.5 million from an importer-businesswoman despite being dismissed from the service. Ethel Bernas, Customs Operations Officer III (COO 3) posted at the NAIA Collection District - Auction and Cargo Disposal Division of the BOC was accused by businesswoman Jane Louise Balse of extorting at least P1.5M in bribe in exchange for the release of the latter’s container vans with used clothing (ukay-ukay) from Hong Kong and the United States. Philippine laws prohibits the importation of used clothing as per Republic Act No. 4653. Balse claimed Bernas has initially demanded P1 million in exchange for assisting her in processing the release of the goods from the airport. However, the initial payment was apparently not enough for Bernas as she demanded an additional P425,000, supposedly for other Customs officials, Balse added. Despite allegedly giving Bernas the full amount to fulfil the end of their agreement, her cargo was never released. Worse, the Custom employee further demanded P155,000 more last August 8, prompting the complainant to file a case against Bernas for alleged violation of the Anti-Graft and Corrupt Practices Act, direct bribery and estafa. It turns out that Bernas was already found guilty of Grave Misconduct by the Ombudsman in a June 26, 2014 resolution and was ordered dismissed from government service effective July 31. Prior to her dismissal, the 52-yearold Bernas has worked with the BOC for 20 years She was arrested by members of BOC’s Enforcement and Security Service (ESS) and the Philippine National Police-Criminal Investigation and Detection Group (PNP-CIDG) based on Balse’s complaint.
Posted on: Fri, 15 Aug 2014 05:46:12 +0000
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