Pubdate: Mon, 18 Mar 2002
Source: Sunstar Bacolod (Philippines)
Copyright: 2002sSunstar
Contact:  http://www.sunstar.com.ph/affiliate.php3?locid=1
Details: http://www.mapinc.org/media/1718

NO CLEANSING

The reshuffling of personnel of the Bureau of Customs could not be an 
effective means to wean out smuggling in the country. One suspected corrupt 
official believed to be coddling smugglers in one area would just be 
replaced by another in another area, also presumably another suspect linked 
to the illegal entry of goods in the country's ports.

A reshuffling looms as Finance Undersecretary Antonio Bernardo takes over 
the leadership of the Customs Bureau from former Commissioner Titus 
Villanueva. The move, reports say, is part of the plan to cleanse the 
agency of corrupt officials. But is relief from one's post sanction enough? 
It could not be. It cannot even be classified a penalty. How can it be when 
they could end up engaging in the same activity in another place, thereby 
defeating the aim of weeding out the agency of scalawags.

Studies have always identified the Bureau of Customs as one of the most 
graft-ridden, if not the most corrupt, agencies of government. But there 
hardly are officials indicted nor have there been any Customs personnel put 
behind bars for betraying the public's trust.

Yes we do, however, get reports of investigations being conducted on 
Customs personnel believed linked to irregularities but it stops there. As 
soon as the issue dies down, subject official ends up still free, only that 
he has been reassigned to another area.

Under this scheme, how could there be cleansing? The problem is just 
muddled up.
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MAP posted-by: Beth