Faeldon submits bank secrecy waiver to Senate panel

Former Customs Commissioner Nicanor Faeldon on Thursday submitted to the Senate blue ribbon committee a waiver on secrecy of bank accounts.

The document signed and notarized on September 6 was attached to Faeldon’s letter to the committee, after he snubbed the subpoena requiring his attendance to the probe on the smuggling of the P6.4-billion shabu shipment and the “tara” system at the Bureau of Customs (BOC).

The waiver states: “I hereby authorize the Senate of the Philippines and the House of Representatives and all government agencies in the Philippines that has the authority to investigate allegations of corruption, to examine, inquire, or look into all my bank accounts here in the Philippines and even anywhere in the world.”

In his letter, he said the committee is also free to examine the bank accounts of his brothers, sisters, nephews, and nieces. “Just say the word,” he said.

Faeldon denied the accusation of Senator Panfilo Lacson that he received bribe money from corrupt importers.

“I have not asked nor authorized anyone to collect any bribe in the form of money nor material things, nor have I received any bribe money or gift from anybody,” he said.

In a privilege speech last August 23, Lacson said Faeldon is among the BOC officials who benefited from the “tara” system. — RSJ, GMA News