MANILA: The Bureau of Customs (BOC) has seized two brand-new all-terrain vehicles (ATV) consigned to Isabela first district Rep. Rodolfo Albano III, which were reportedly misdeclared and undervalued.
Sources said the shipment was placed under alert because it was declared to be worth only $6,600 when it has an actual value of $55,874.
They said the shipment, which contained a 6×6 and an 8×8 ATVs, arrived at the Port of Subic on Jan. 20. It was reportedly misdeclared as household goods, personal effects and automobile accessories.
Documents identified Albano with address at 507 Balete Street in Ayala Alabang Village, Muntinlupa City as the consignee. A certain Rodito Albano imported the vehicles from the United States.
Sources said Albano paid only P156,126 in taxes when he should have paid P1.1 million.
Albano said a release order for the two ATVs had been issued, even as he slammed what he described as “harassment” and “nitpicking” by some Customs officials.
Maybe they want to show off that they’re bagging a member of Congress…that can’t be…this is aboveboard,” Albano told The STAR.
They tried to made it appear that the ATVs were for commercial purposes…It’s just two units,” he said.
He showed the release order dated May 11 signed by District Collector Bonifacio de Castro of the Subic Bay Freeport Zone.
