MANILA — The Bureau of Customs (BOC) has launched an investigation into several personnel allegedly involved in “syndicate-style” operations that manipulated shipment inspections, Commissioner Ariel Nepomuceno told senators on Wednesday.

During the organizational meeting of the Senate Committee on Ways and Means, Sen. Sherwin Gatchalian raised reports that BOC employees had swapped vehicle inspection results to facilitate the release of imported cars.

“Parang itong operation is really sindikato… mga BOC employees din ang gumagawa (This operation seems to be run by a syndicate involving BOC employees),” Gatchalian said, inquiring whether those responsible had been identified and sanctioned.

Nepomuceno confirmed that show cause orders were issued to more than 10 personnel, who are now undergoing internal investigation. Some employees have been relieved of their posts, while others remain under review.

“We already issued show cause orders to those involved, and we already submitted this to the ICI to break this practice,” Nepomuceno said, referring to the Independent Commission for Infrastructure currently investigating the flood control scam.

The commissioner stressed the need for full digitalization, noting that the bureau’s Electronic-to-Mobile (E2M) system cannot yet trace which employee performs each transaction. “Otherwise, these problems will always be recurrent for the next 50 years,” he said.

Sen. Pia Cayetano, committee chairperson, expressed support for the modernization initiative, highlighting digitalization as key to enhancing transparency and accountability. Nepomuceno added that the Senate Committee of Finance has committed funding for the project, which also has the backing of President Ferdinand R. Marcos Jr.

The probe follows a BOC report revealing that most luxury cars seized from contractors Pacifico “Curlee” and Cezarah Rowena “Sarah” Discaya lacked records of paid duties and taxes. The bureau is investigating how some vehicles were released and registered with the Land Transportation Office despite incomplete import documents.

Nepomuceno assured senators that reforms are underway to ensure accountability and prevent recurrence. (PNA)