Faeldon says he was offered weekly bribe of P300K
DENIAL. Outgoing chief Nicanor Faeldon responds to the privilege speech of Senator Panfilo Lacson
RIZAL, Philippines – Outgoing Customs Commissioner Nicanor Faeldon denied he was offered or he received P100 million "pasaubong" or welcome gift when he assumed his post last year.
He said he was offered a P300,000 weekly "gift" by an importer he did not name. He said this was the only time there was an attempt to bribe him.
"There was one attempt to bribe me before I assumed office. But it's not P100 million. It's P300,000 weekly," Faeldon said in a press conference in Taytay, Rizal.
He said he rejected the bribe offer of P300,000 outright. "But it is not the direct importer. It is a 3rd person who went to me. 'Gago, kalokohan nyo yan. I don't accept any form of gift. Kasi hindi naman bribe and tawag diyan (They don't call it bribe). It's a gift," Faeldon said.
Faeldon is fighting allegations of corruption after his bureau's failure to stop the smuggling of P6.4 billion ($125.4 million) worth of shabu in May 2017.
Senator Panfilo Lacson on Wednesday put Faeldon right at the center of the corrupt network at customs after he delivered a privilege speech detailing how outgoing commissioner allegedly received bribe money from smugglers.
Lacson said: "Loud whispers in the 4 corners of the Bureau of Customs compound tell of a P100-million 'pasalubong' (gift) to the newly-installed Commissioner, a quarter of which, or P25 million was retained as finder's fee by his middleman named Joel Teves."
Lacson, a former police chief known for his exposés, presented a list of allegedly corrupt customs officials that also included the appointees of Faeldon. Faeldon defended his men.
Faeldon on Thursday turned the tables on Lacson, accusing his son and namesake of being a smuggler himself. Lacson denied this. (READ: Lacson on smuggling charge: When I make an exposé, I make sure I'm clean)
Faeldon also distributed a copy of his latest Statement of Assets, Liabilities, and Net Worth (SALN) showing a net worth of P3.3 million. – Rappler.com
