ON TARGET
A P300-million bribe
By Ramon Tulfo
Philippine Daily Inquirer
There's a deeper reason for the relief of Batangas port collector Juan Tan than the one given by Commissioner Alvarez, which was the loss of the cargoes.
But how could Tan be made accountable for the disappearance of the 1,900 container vans when they had not reached his port?
Before the discovery of the cargoes' disappearance, Tan had recommended to Alvarez the prosecution of Shell Corp. for nonpayment of P1.6 billion in taxes and duties on its oil imports.
The P1.6 billion being demanded of Shell was exclusive of interest, surcharges and penalties, according to my customs sources.
The P1.6 billion would have ballooned to P40 billion if interest, surcharges and penalties were demanded of Shell by the customs bureau, the sources said.
One customs official allegedly received a P300-million bribe for sitting on Shell's delinquent payment of taxes and duties on its oil imports.
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