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...

PAL gears up for nonstop MNL-NYC service starting Oct 29

Oct. 19 | Philippine Airlines (PAL) will mount a direct nonstop service to New York from Manila starting October 29, 2018, making it the first domestic airline with a direct service between the Big Apple and the Philippines. A brand-new PAL Airbus A350-900 will...

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...

DTI, BOC insist: no port congestion, just limited yard space for empties

Oct. 14 | Customs commissioner Isidro Lapeña (left) with Trade Secretary Ramon Lopez talking about “perceptions” of port congestion. Photo courtesy of Bureau of Customs. There is no congestion at Manila ports, Trade Secretary Ramon Lopez announced...

P3.8M worth of abandoned goods found in MICP

Oct. 14 | Customs commissioner Isidro Lapeña inspected on Oct 12 seven containers of carrots and used clothes, shoes and toys worth P3.77 million abandoned at the Manila International Container Port (MICP). MICP district collector Atty Balmyrson Valdez issued...

P14.6M worth of illegal drugs busted by BOC-NAIA

Oct. 14 | Customs commissioner Isidro Lapeña (second from left) with Port of NAIA district collector Carmelita Talusan and Central Mail Exchange Center head Nora Cawile (third and fourth from left) during the turnover of illegal drugs seized at the Port of NAIA....

PH exports up 3.1% year-on-year in Aug

Oct. 14 | The Philippines’ merchandise trade amounted to US$15.84 billion in August 2018, an increase of 7.8% from $14.69 billion in the same month in 2017 as both imports and exports registered growth. Exports grew 3.1% to $6.16 billion in August 2018 from $5.98...