Got a tip? Send it to us at manila@coconuts.co.
On Wed, Aug 26, Door-to-Door Consolidators Association of the Philippines chairman Ramon Ungco revealed that there was indeed a ‘tara’ system they adhered to with the Bureau of Customs (BOC) for the faster processing of balikbayan boxes in ports.
“According to Ungco, they had to pay corrupt Customs officials around PHP40,000 to PHP85,000 for each container that had balikbayan boxes. He said the bribe depended on the size of the shipment,” reports GMA News Online.
“Kailangan magbigay ka ng tara kasi kung hindi, hindi aasikasuhin ang papeles mo (You need to pay the ‘tara’ or else they won’t process your papers),” Ungco said.
The BOC also recently increased taxes for containers from the US from PHP80,000 to PHP120,000.
Reacting to the increase, Ungco said: “OK lang sa akin taasan ‘yung tax up to PHP200,000 puwede kaya lang dapat bawasan niyo ‘yung tara niyo (It’s OK with me if they increase the taxes up to PHP200,000, as long as they bring down their ‘tara’).”
The GMA News Online report noted: “Top Customs officials were not immediately available for comment as of posting time of 9:05pm, Wed, Aug 26.”
Reader Interactions