Manila: The Bureau of Customs (BOC) is requiring contractors Pacifico 'Curlee' Discaya II and Cezarah 'Sarah' Discaya, along with the importers of their 29 luxury cars currently held by the agency, to submit legal documentation by the end of the month. These documents must prove that the vehicles have undergone proper import procedures.
According to Philippines News Agency, BOC Commissioner Ariel Nepomuceno announced during a press conference at the BOC head office in South Harbor, Manila, that the dealers and owners of these high-end vehicles have been instructed to provide import entries and certificates of payment (COP). These documents are necessary to support claims that the cars were legally imported and acquired.
Nepomuceno stated that, as part of due process, the concerned parties have been given a 15-day deadline, ending this month, to submit the required documents. The cars were secured on different dates, leading to varied deadlines starting from September 17.
The commissioner revealed that 15 of the 29 cars currently lack import entries or COP documents. These vehicles may face forfeiture proceedings by the government following the issuance of a warrant of seizure and detention (WSD). Nepomuceno explained that cars without these documents are considered red flags and may be subject to a WSD.
Among the vehicles without both documents are a Toyota Tundra 2022, a Toyota Sequoia 2023, a Rolls Royce Cullinan 2023, a Mercedes Benz G63 AMG 2022, a Mercedes Benz 6500 2019 (Brabus), a Lincoln Navigator L 2021, a Bentley Bentayga 2022, and a Toyota LC300 3.3 V6 ZX A/T 2024.
The seven other luxury cars that have import entries but lack COPs include a GMC Yukon XL Denali 2022, a Cadillac Escalade ESV 2022, a Lincoln Navigator 2024, a GMC Yukon Denali 2022, a Cadillac Escalade 2021, a Maserati Levante Modena 2022, and a Jeep Grand Wagoneer 2023.
Conversely, the remaining 14 cars are presumed to have been imported regularly, as they were brought into the country by authorized dealers with complete import entry documents and COPs. These vehicles include a Land Rover Range Rover LWB 2019, Land Rover Defender 130 S 2023, Mercedes Benz GLS 350 D AMG L 2020, BMW X5 30D 2018, Mercedes Benz GLE 250 D 2018, Ford Bronco 2021, Jaguar F Pace 2.0D AWD 2018, Porche Cayenne V6 2022, Volvo Wagon XC90 2021, Mercedes Benz V 220 CDI Avant 2017, Land Rover Range Rover EVO 2020, Mercedes Benz Sprinter 316 CD 2017, Dodge Ram 1500 Rebel 2022, and Jeep Gladiator OVERL 2023.
Nepomuceno indicated that the ports of entry for these cars have been identified as Batangas, Cebu, Manila, and the Manila International Container Port. Furthermore, the bureau is investigating the potential involvement of its personnel, with more than 10 "persons of interest" assigned to these ports.
Additionally, a lifestyle check will be conducted on vehicles owned by four officials from the Department of Public Works and Highways (DPWH). These officials are part of an ongoing investigation into irregular flood control projects and include former Bulacan 1st District Engineer Henry Alcantara, former DPWH Assistant District Engineer Brice Ericson Hernandez, former Bulacan Assistant 1st District Engineer Jaypee Mendoza, and former Batangas 1st District Engineer Abelardo Calalo.
