Lapeña: Drug controversy a “stage drama” possibly concocted by drug syndicates

Oct. 23 | Customs commissioner Isidro Lapeña at the Oct 23 press conference on the illegal drug controversy. Photo courtesy of the Bureau of Customs. Customs commissioner Isidro Lapeña pointed to drug syndicates as possibly behind allegations that the Bureau...

BOC rolls out implementing rules for consolidated balikbayan box shipments

Oct. 22 | Just in time for the holidays, the Bureau of Customs (BOC) has issued rules for the simplified customs clearance procedures covering consolidated shipment of balikbayan (personal effects) boxes entered through any port of entry, sent to families or relatives...

3 criminal raps lodged against alleged smugglers, customs personnel

Oct. 21 | The Bureau of Customs (BOC) has filed three smuggling cases against importers, customs brokers, and customs personnel for misdeclaration and illegal importation of gun parts and ammunition. The first criminal case was filed before the Department of Justice...

Lapeña still has Duterte’s trust

Oct. 20 | Customs Commissioner Isidro Lapeña continues to enjoy the full trust of President Rodrigo Duterte despite the brewing issue of P6.8 billion worth of illegal drugs that allegedly slipped past the Bureau of Customs (BOC), according to presidential spokesperson...

Cavite Gateway Terminal officially opens Nov 5

Oct. 20 | Cavite Gateway Terminal is 11 kilometers from the Cavite Export Processing Zone Authority, whose users are the facility’s ideal clients. Photo from the Department of Transportation. The Cavite Gateway Terminal (CGT), the Philippines’ first container...

PH improves in WEF competitiveness ranking but some transport scores slip

Oct. 19 | The Philippines has improved 12 places in the World Economic Forum’s (WEF) 2018 Global Competitiveness Report (GCR) to 56th place out of 140 economies. The country’s score on airport and liner connectivity, however, slid along with efficiency of clearances....

4 ports get new customs district collectors

Oct. 19 | The Bureau of Customs (BOC) has appointed four new district collectors for the Manila International Container Port (MICP) and the ports of Manila, San Fernando, and Surigao. On October 17, Filemon Mendoza, Jr., Maritess Martin, Ruby Claudia Alameda, and...

New rules out on 1-Assessment nationwide implementation

Oct. 17 | The Bureau of Customs (BOC) has released guidelines for the nationwide implementation of 1-Assessment, a web-based queue management application that provides bias-free assessment by randomly assigning appraisers and examiners to filed goods declarations. Customs...

BOC, PCG to conduct joint anti-smuggling operations

Oct. 17 | At the MOA signing were Customs Commissioner Isidro Lapeña, Coas Guard Commandant Elson Hermogino and Finance Secretary Carlos Dominguez III (first up to third from left). Photo from the Bureau of Customs. The Bureau of Customs (BOC) and the Philippine...

Lapeña addresses resignation rumors

Oct. 16 | Customs Commissioner Isidro Lapeña said he is not going anywhere. Customs Commissioner Isidro Lapeña clarified that he will neither be replaced soon as head of the Philippine Bureau of Customs (BOC) nor run for an elective post. “I would like to inform...