FILE photo. Pacifico “Curlee” and Cezarah “Sarah” Discaya. - Photo: INQUIRER file
MANILA: The Bureau of Customs (BOC) has trimmed down to just seven the total number of luxury vehicles owned by contractors Pacifico “Curlee” and Cezarah “Sarah” Discaya that will be auctioned off next month.
Customs spokesperson Chris Bendijo told reporters on Thursday (Oct 30) that the Discayas have filed a voluntary forfeiture and would “no longer contest” the seizure of seven of the 13 cars under BOC custody, after a warrant of seizure and detention was issued.
The seven vehicles were found to have no records of import entry or certificates of payment. These are the Rolls-Royce Cullinan, Bentley Bentayga, Mercedes-Benz G63 and G500, Lincoln Navigator L, and Toyota Tundra and Sequoia.
“That means they are waiving their entire ownership of the vehicles, but they are reserving their right to go after the importers and the car dealers,” Bendijo explained.
This also means that the commission would push through with the original schedule of the public auction on Nov 15, he added, noting that the BOC is planning to livestream the event.
For the other six luxury vehicles, which were found to have import documents but questionable payment records, the Discayas submitted a “position paper” to challenge the BOC seizure order.
“They are offering a compromise penalty, and that is being considered by the legal division already,” Bendijo noted.
The penalties would include charges on top of a 20-percent fine of the landed cost, which includes costs for transportation, production, and insurance.
BOC estimates the total value of the 13 seized cars at about ₱200 million, the customs official said.
Proceeds from the public auction of Discaya-owned cars would be placed in the forfeiture fund of the BOC before being reverted to the National Treasury, he noted. - Philippine Daily Inquirer/ANN
