Palace denies Ochoa as Customs 'padrino'

Malacañang Friday denied Executive Secretary Paquito Ochoa, Jr was among the personalities acting as 'padrinos' or godfathers to some officials at the corruption-ridden Bureau of Customs.

Presidential Deputy Spokesperson Abigail Valte told a media briefing Ochoa himself admitted he recommended the appointment of Customs Deputy Commissioner Peter Manzano.

But Valte stressed the 'Little President' was not involved in anomalous transactions in the agency.

In a published report Friday, Ochoa, along with House Speaker Feliciano Bemonte, was named by an anonymous source as one of the alleged 'padrinos' that have been protecting people at the BOC.

Valte said: "I spoke to the executive secretary this morning and he did say na yes, it's true.

"He confirmed that he recommended Atty. Peter Manzano for the post as deputy commissioner for revenue collection and monitoring group but that's it.

"The ES has nothing to do with any illegal transactions that had been mentioned in the course of these reports."

Valte defended Ochoa and said it has been common practice to name drop Cabinet officials in anomalies.

"Kung natatandaan ninyo, it's not uncommon for any Cabinet official's name to be floated. At madalas nakikita natin nine-name drop lang mga pangalan ng mga gabinete," Valte said.

She said Ochoa also wanted to know who the alleged padrinos are.

"At this point there are names being floated. ES said he would also like to hear these names. Sa amin, bukas kami sa ganitong pangalan at sa ganitong ebidensya," she said.

The source noted that Manila International Container Terminal Collector Ricardo Belmonte is a brother of the House Speaker, while BOC Deputy Commissioner Peter Manzano is Ochoa's man in the agency.

The source said Ochoa and Belmote are among the 'protectors' and 'power brokers' at the bureau to ensure that their men remain in their posts.

Earlier, the Palace said no one, not even administration allies, would be spared once major reforms are implemented at the bureau.

In his fourth State of the Nation Address last Monday, Pres. Benigno Aquino III lashed out at the agency for failure to curb smuggling and corrupt practices.

Following the rebuke, its head Commissioner Rozzano Rufino Biazon offered his resignation but was denied by Aquino.

Two of his deputy commissioners, Danilo Lim and Juan Lorenzo Tañada followed suit but Malacañang has yet to act on their offer to resign. (PNA)