The Philippines' Bureau of Customs: Corruption Den & Cultural Killers?

There is an international treaty called the Florence Agreement to which the Philippines is a signatory.  It basically calls for books to be duty-free; that is if they are imported, no duty taxes are to be levied by the Bureau of Customs (or equivalent) of each respective signatory country.

For around 50 years, this was in effect here in the Philippines.  But only until 2005 came when the Bureau of Customs (BOC) were under fire for not meeting revenue targets.  When one importer brought in a bunch of books of the international bestseller, Twilight, one customs inspector named Rene Agulan thought of opening the imports and then imposing duty tax.  Soon after, the BOC issued a department order that said only "educational, scientific, and cultural" books are duty-exempt.  This was echoed as well by a BOC Undersecretary.  And so you could say importing almost any kind of book in to the Philippines would mean you have to pay duties.  Even if it was "educational, scientific, or cultural," you would still be required to secure a certification from the Department of Education (DepEd).  No, it's not easy to do that.  Not with all the RED TAPE in the government.  So who would import books?  Or, now imported books sold at local stores are even more expensive (and hence less accessible)!

This, to me and many other book lovers and booksellers, is obviously a crime against the Filipino people.  You are practically limiting access to all this wealth of books available from outside.  I don't know how anyone could grow by staying at home and without learning from what is outside the home.

To tell you the truth, I am very, very angry about all this.

They even levy a tax on the shipping charges!  So I had books sent, amounting to around 840 pesos, with shipping and handling costs around 1645 pesos.  We are being charged more than 1500 pesos in duty taxes for all this!  What?

We are only members of the "madla;" we cannot fight these people who have ropes around our necks in this situation.  So fine, we will pay.  But I read that the maximum duties to be levied are supposedly only at 5%, plus VAT (12%).  Okay, fine, because we cannot fight these cowards (i.e. they pick on somebody less powerful than them - us), we will pay.  But 5% + 12% = 17% of 840 pesos is not anywhere near 1500 pesos.  But no, their stupid rules say supposedly the 17% tax total is on the 840+1645=2485 pesos!  But still that is nowhere near 1500 pesos!

This is one thing I hate about MANY FILIPINOS.  Many I know commit wrong things and they justify it.  They come to you with a straight face and say "I am not wrong, you are."  Or, "pasensya na po, trabaho lang po."  This is exactly what they are doing.  Selfish!

Anyways, I am really so angry about this.  For more, visit these two very informative links:

http://www.mcsweeneys.net/links/manila/1dispatch6.html
http://blogs.inquirer.net/current/2009/05/10/the-great-book-blockade-of-2009-timeline-and-readings/

It is difficult to contest government, even in this so-called-democratic Philippines.  No, there is no freedom here.  Media should be careful of what they report, the husband of former President Arroyo said, after tens of media reporters were ambushed in Mindanao.

I mean now, here we are up against a government entity, the BOC.  Who can we go to?  The Police?  Another government entity?  Why would I trust them?

Well we can't do anything for now.  Not us.  We need to be one big voice.  The People Power Revolt of 1986 should have erased all remnants of corrupt people in government, but no it has now showed how much power people in government actually have.  I hate to say it, but I think now because People Power is needed to topple corrupt governments, people in government now use this to take advantage of people.  Who needs another People Power revolt?  And who wants to do it again?

Calling on P-Noy.  I think only he can do something about all this.