"Pacquiao foundation" linked to smuggling

‘Pacquiao foundation’ linked to smuggling
by Joel E. Zurbano
A syndicate is using the name of boxing icon Manny Pacquiao to smuggle hand-me-down clothes through the Manila South Harbor, Customs officials said on Wednesday.
Its mode of operations was uncovered after Customs officials seized two 40-foot container vans of used clothes, described by the importer as relief goods from the United States. The shipment was consigned to Manny Pacquiao Foundation, said to be a non-government group organized by the boxing icon and now congressman representing Saranggani province.
The so-called Manny Pacquiao Foundation turned out to be fictitious, said Customs Intelligence agent Eric Albano.
The Manny Pacquiao Foundation does not exist, but there’s an Emmanuel Pacquiao Foundation based in the United States, Albano said.
Customs Intelligence director Filomeno Vicencio Jr. ordered the shipment impounded at the Port of Manila’s examination area.
Vicencio said that the two container vans were loaded with used clothing with an estimated value of P5 million. He said that the shipment arrived at the South Harbor last July.
“We are digging deep to find out the real owner of the shipment,” said Vicencio.
The law, Republic Act 4653, prohibits the importation of used clothing.
Customs Commissioner Angelito Alvarez said he favored legalizing the importation of useed clothes, which would generate P700 million a year in revenue.
He said he met with several lawmakers and was pleased with their positive response.
“They said they would keep an open mind. They said that there is a need for a thorough study on the anticipated revenues that we would generate and its impact on the garment or textile industry. But to my knowledge, the garment sector has been weak,” said Alvarez.
He said that the garment industry is a dying industry unlike 10 years ago.
Alvarez said that if the used clothes would be allowed to enter the country, the bureau could impose duties and taxes and earn about P700 million a year. He estimated that 1,000 container vans of used clothes arrive in the country annually.