The government has started cracking down on erring Customs officials to stamp out systemic corruption in the agency.
The campaign, initiated by the Customs Intelligence Group in close coordination with the Philippine Coast Guard, began last Tuesday with the arrest and the filing of administrative and criminal charges against an officer assigned at the Manila International Container Port for accepting bribes.
Assistant Customers Operations officer Cesar Nierva was arrested after he received P7,880 cash inserted between documents filed by brokers and processors at the MICP Entry Processing Unit.
Prior to the arrest, the Customs received information that Nierva had been receiving bribes from brokers and processors at the EPU.
The bureau passed the information to Coast Guard personnel who gathered evidence on the case.
The Coast Guard identified Nierva as the personnel receiving bribe money.
Customs and Coast Guard operatives apprehended Nierva and brought him to the MICP – Enforcement Security Service where he was questioned about the black eco bag containing P7,880 in cash.
Customs Commissioner Rey Leonardo Guerrero earlier tapped his deputy for Intelligence Group Raniel Ramiro to crack down on corrupt officials and employees in the bureau.
Guerrero said the operation against Nierva was not a “one-time thing.”
“This is one of my first directives when I assumed the post of commissioner. I am aware of the bureau’s reputation in the eyes of the public. Cleaning up the bureau is a personal agenda,” he said.
On Wednesday, Nierva was brought to the Manila Regional Trial Court where he was charged with violating Article 210 of the Revised Penal Code, which prohibits government employees from receiving offers, promises, gifts, or presents “in connection with the performance of his official duties.”
If found guilty, Nierva will serve “prision mayor," which is equal to six to eight years in prison.
He will also have a fine of not less than three times the value of the bribe money he received.
“We want to send a message to all bureau employees that we’re serious about dismantling systematic corruption in this administration. We are going to get to the bottom of every corrupt practice in this bureau,” Guerrero said.
He added that the anti-corruption drive was put in place “because we want to make sure that our people can deliver unbiased services.”