MANILA, Philippines — Incomplete documentation and a lack of data sharing from the Bureau of Customs (BOC) continue to undermine the government’s ability to investigate and prosecute smuggling cases, Ombudsman Jesus Crispin “Boying” Remulla revealed over the weekend.
Speaking during a radio broadcast, Remulla detailed how ongoing friction with the border agency hampers anti-smuggling efforts, noting that requests for essential case records often go unfulfilled.
“Nagkaroon kami ng meeting ng Customs at saka ng DOJ para nga tumigil na ‘tong kalokohang na ito sa smuggling,” he said.
“Kasi nga ang problema lagi ‘yung sa Customs, ayaw nila kumpletuhin ang documentation para ma-dismiss ang kaso,” he added.
Remulla explained that investigative progress stalls when the BOC fails to provide vital evidence needed to build solid legal complaints.
“Ipa-file namin ang kaso o kaya iimbestigahan namin sabay kapag hinihingi namin ang dokumento ayaw dumating ang dokumento. Walang data sharing. At least ang DBM (Department of Budget and Management) pumayag na sa data sharing. Ngayon, Customs na icha-challenge namin,” he stressed.
During the same program, Senate Deputy Majority Leader JV Ejercito called on BOC Commissioner Ariel Nepomuceno to intensify internal cleansing operations within the bureau, specifically targeting the Customs Intelligence and Investigation Service (CIIS).
The Ombudsman’s push for direct access follows a milestone data-sharing agreement signed on September 29 with the Procurement Service of the Department of Budget and Management (PS-DBM).
That pact grants authorized investigators real-time, direct access to procurement records on the Philippine Government Electronic Procurement System (PhilGEPS)—including bidding submissions, contract awards, and beneficial ownership details—eliminating the formal written requests that previously delayed probes by days or weeks.
Remulla hopes to replicate a similar framework with the BOC to streamline anti-smuggling enforcement.