The country is filled with energetic and enterprising men, rendered desperate by being reduced from affluence to poverty through the vicissitudes of the times. They will give an impulse to smuggling unknown to the country heretofore.
— The late United States vice president John Caldwell Calhoun (1782-1850)

MAYPAJO, Caloocan City — Just recently, hundreds of millions worth of luxury cars were duscoverred by the Bureau of Customs in warehouses in Pasay City, Parañaque, Makati and Taguig. The posh vehicles that were confiscated included several Ferraris, Benzes, Porsches, Maserattis, Rolls Royces and other cars favored by the rich and famous.
And now, just a few days ago, two employees of a disposal company contracted by the Bureau of Customs (BoC) was recently arrested by the authorities for allegedly reselling millions of pesos worth of confiscated smuggled cigarettes.
This may appear to be just routine performances by Customs personnel, who, I am sure, were tipped off, hence the seizures and arrests they scored against smugglers. But looking more deeply, we realize that these are not just crimes that damage our economy. They hint on the reality of stark indictment in systemic failures within the BoC.
While the arrests and confiscations are a welcome step, the truth is that they only scratch the surface of a more troubling—the potential for widespread corruption within the Bureau.
Let's focus on the smuggled cigarettes.
The sheer audacity of reselling ₱270 million worth of contraband speaks volumes about the impunity enjoyed by some within the system. The fact that a disposal company, tasked with destroying the seized goods, was allegedly involved suggests a level of complicity that demands a thorough and transparent investigation.
In truth, I am a heavy smoker for the past 54 years since I started puffing my first stick of cigarette when I was 13, way back in '69. I always preferred the imported ones, which we referred to as' blue seal' or military, and lately I often bought those produced in Korea and China as they tasted smoother and better that the local tobacco, which at often times were stale and even 'fake'.
I bought my imported cigarettes from a vendor in Binondo, who told me they were really cheap (at ₱110 a pack as compared to the local brands sold at almost or more than ₱200) because she got them from Customs at really lowered prices since they did pay taxes or tariffs. I'm relatively sure they were 'puslit' from items that were seized and confiscated.
Still, though I most definetly benefitted from buying from her, I could just imagine how much tax revenue is lost in these kind of dealings!
And BoC commissioner Bienvenido Rubio’s promise of accountability is encouraging, I heard he was appointed as Bureau chief and remains in his position because he's very close to that guy in the House who they refer to as 'Tambaluslos'. Aduana sources claimed that he got to where he is now because he was the only one who agreed to the demand of this guy in the House to deliver the highest rate of goodwill from the dubious transactions within the Bureau of Customs.
If this is true, then I'm certain Mr. Tambaluslos is simply preparing for his run in the Presidential elections in 2028.
Still, Rubio's promise may be encouraging. However, let us be reminded that words alone are insufficient. Concrete actions, including swift and decisive disciplinary measures against any implicated BoC personnel really are crucial in this case.
Actually the aforementioned incidents of smuggling highlight a much larger problem, that of the lack of robust oversight and accountability mechanisms within the BoC.
While the Commissioner Rubio’s pledge to “make heads roll” is strong rhetoric, the question remains—how will this be ensured? Are existing internal controls within the Bureau adequate? Are there sufficient checks and balances to prevent similar incidents from happening again? The answer, based on the latest scandals besetting the BoC, appears to be a resounding NO!
The Bureau's mandate is very clear: to protect the country’s borders and revenue streams and this includes preventing the entry of smuggled goods and ensuring that confiscated items are properly disposed of. The failure to do so represents a significant breach of public trust.

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