Posted on 07 Jun 2016
Department of Trade and Industry (DTI) Provincial Director Leonila Baluyut decried the allegations of graft charges by the Philippine Iron and Steel Institute (PISI) as “character assassination.”
This stemmed after DTI Zambales released the $1.648-million worth of deformed steel bars imported from China by importer Mannage Resources Trading Corp. According to Baluyut, the 4,929.38 metric tons passed DTI’s scrutiny, which included chemical, material and physical testing.
Baluyut said that she had done everything in her parameters to ensure that the deformed bars are tested in line with the Bureau of Product Standards (BPS) or else, she would have ordered the return of these deformed steel bars to the country of origin. Baluyut also stressed that she has yet to receive any notices or summons from the Ombudsman.
Meanwhile, DTI-3 Regional Director Judith Angeles denied the allegations of the PISI accusing Baluyut for graft charges before the Office of the Ombudsman. The said allegations according to RD Angeles are baseless, malicious and incriminating in nature.
Angeles further said that Baluyut had acted within the mandate and bounds of the law, rules and regulations being implemented by the DTI.
“I can’t see any irregularity in the performance of duty of PD Baluyut as far as the issuance of the provisional/conditional import commodity clearance to the applicant Mannage Resources Trading Corporation. PD Baluyut’s actions from the receipt of the application for Import Commodity Clearance to its issuance, is sanctioned by the provisions on the laws on Import Commodity Clearance,” said Angeles.
Angeles stressed that as to the allegations that DTI-Zambales Provincial Office did not subject to thorough tests and industry-accepted safety standards the said imported deformed steel bars, RD Angeles retorted that it is without merit.
“Clearly, the testing of these products shall be conducted by an independent Testing Center as in this case the Metals Industry Research and Development Center (MIRDC) of the Department of Science and Technology (DOST),” she added.
Angeles said that the declaration of PISI that testing was also done without experts from the Federation of Philippine Industries and the Bureau of Customs is a blatant display of ignorance of the law by PISI since there is no law requiring it. “This is a purely DTI’s functions and mandate.”
In his complaint affidavit, PISI president Roberto Cola questioned the granting of provisional import clearance certificate to the shipment.
Cola pointed out that at least 250 pieces of steel bars should have been used for sampling, yet only three were tested.
