Same Ol' Dog And Pony Show

[Mike S]

http://www.philstar.com/headlines/2016/03/01/1558234/600000-car-plates-stuck-port

 

 

 

MANILA, Philippines - The Bureau of Customs has threatened the private consignee of the 600,000 vehicle license plates that it will put the shipment up for auction if the company will not pay around P40 million in duties and taxes this week.

 

This is the warning of Customs Commissioner Alberto Lina to the Dutch-Filipino consortium Knieriem BV Goes and Power Plates Development Concept Inc. (JKG-PPI).

 

“The importer promised that they would pay us in a while, so we would wait for them for a week. If they fail, we would consider the process of abandonment. The car plates would be put up for auction,” Lina said in a forum yesterday.

 

He also said that while the importer JKG-PPI would be entitled to join the auction, the company should not wait for the auction process because it would be more costly. “It would be better if they pay up now.”

As of yesterday, JKG-PPI had not yet paid duties and taxes as well as demurrage and storage fees that the 11 shipping containers of imported vehicle license plates have incurred.

 

The Dutch-Filipino firm bagged the P3.8-billion contract to supply the Land Transportation Office (LTO) with vehicle license plates in 2013.

 

The 11 shipping containers of car plates arrived at the Manila International Container Port on different dates last year. Lina said the shipment was abandoned and this prompted the BOC to take the cargo.

There has been a backlog in the issuance of vehicle license plates, which has been the problem of motorists.

 

LTO chief Roberto Cabrera said the cause of delay in the release of the car plates was the notice of disallowance issued by the Commission on Audit (COA).

 

The COA issues a notice of disallowance upon finding that a procurement of goods or a contract entered into by the government is irregular or illegal.

 

The COA ordered the LTO to stop the license plate deal with JKG-PPI because of the violation of procedures prescribed under Republic Act 9184, or the Government Procurement Reform Act.  

LTO: It’s their responsibility

Cabrera said the company also “promised” the LTO that it would pay its duties and taxes for the vehicle plates, and that is “their responsibility.”

 

“I had the chance to talk to them two times. The problem with the plates was brought up. They were saying that it was not their fault because of the delay. But my point is assuming it’s not your fault, it is still your responsibility to take them out,” he added

.

Asked if the vehicle plates would be released before President Aquino’s term ends, Cabrera said, “I don’t think so.”

 

“This is a matter of payment. But as far as the LTO is concerned, we are still looking at the chance of having those plates released soon or before the President’s term ends,” he added.

 

Leo Romero, a counsel of an LTO supplier, said that the LTO would not be able to release the license plates before Aquino steps down because the contract with JKG-PPI was unconstitutional and the LTO could not easily correct the notice of disallowance issued by COA.

 

Former LTO chief Alfonso Tan filed an appeal to lift the notice of disallowance but it was denied. Tan later filed an appeal before the COA’s office of the director, but the appeal was also denied.

 

He then filed a petition for review before the COA chairman and two commissioners, but this was also denied before he resigned last year.

 

Cabrera, who assumed his post in January, said he filed a motion for reconsideration of the COA decision that denied Tan’s petition for review.

[Jack Peterson]

The car plates would be put up for auction,”

 

So they are going to Auction something they don't Own?

These Plates are owned by those that have paid for them, "YOU and I" and all others that are waiting for something we have Paid for in Advance. Now lets ask a Question. Has the LTO or Finance Department actually paid the Manufacturer for these Plates? I doubt it. :unsure:

Using the same Terminology as the Importer "Later Only" HUH! Friggin Merry- go-Round :1 (103):  

Little Tuesday morning Rant Over  :thumbsup:

[jpbago]

  The fishy smell started last year: 

The chairman of the Senate Blue Ribbon sub-committee that is looking into the alleged anomalies in the P3.8-billion motor vehicle license plates standardization program of the Land Transportation Office admitted having doubts on the capability of the supplier chosen by the Department of Transportation and Communication to carry out the program.

 

http://www.manilatimes.net/jv-doubts-lto-plate-supplier/187070/

[sonjack2847]

Iwas in Cebu city in 2010 and our taxi driver was talking to us about the Philippines.He said to me watch the Philippines take something so simple and make it complicated. Maybe they do this to cover something else up.I feel sorry fpr all the people waiting for licence plates something so simple takes so long.

[scott h]

So they are going to Auction something they don't Own?

 

I think so Jack, if someone doesn't pay the import fees, it is forfeited then can be auctioned.

 

Has the LTO or Finance Department actually paid the Manufacturer for these Plates? I doubt it

 

This was in the news maybe 6-9 months ago, the manufacturer was paid for part of the order, if memory serves. Then a loosing bidder got butt hurt (sound familiar?) got a TRO to stop payment etc. etc. etc. So the supplier basically cut ties with the LTO and said, "screw you, you don't pay us we don't fulfill the rest of the contract"

[Jack Peterson]

 

So they are going to Auction something they don't Own?

 

I think so Jack, if someone doesn't pay the import fees, it is forfeited then can be auctioned.

 

 

 

Has the LTO or Finance Department actually paid the Manufacturer for these Plates? I doubt it

 

This was in the news maybe 6-9 months ago, the manufacturer was paid for part of the order, if memory serves. Then a loosing bidder got butt hurt (sound familiar?) got a TRO to stop payment etc. etc. etc. So the supplier basically cut ties with the LTO and said, "screw you, you don't pay us we don't fulfill the rest of the contract"

 

 Further Proof Positive that "Contracts" mean nothing here.

[scott h]

Further Proof Positive that "Contracts" mean nothing here.

 

We have a saying Jack "We have seen this show before!"

 

How many times has a contract for public works (which means lots of easy money) been awarded and the losers of the bid cry foul of one type or another. Get an TRO, contract tied up for months or years and the citizens are with out the services ie. no license plates.

[robert k]

Between this and non-resident foreigners not being able to get Philippine drivers licenses after 90 days, it looks like it's going to get tougher to be a law abiding guest for those long staying on tourist visa. Fortunately/ unfortunately, it looks like they will have the time to work this out before I come back. :unsure:

[OnMyWay]

Iwas in Cebu city in 2010 and our taxi driver was talking to us about the Philippines.He said to me watch the Philippines take something so simple and make it complicated. Maybe they do this to cover something else up.I feel sorry fpr all the people waiting for licence plates something so simple takes so long.

 

So true.  This could be so simple.  How hard can it be?

 

Seems like the Filipino prisoners spend a lot of time dancing and not making licence plates!  (In the U.S., it used to be common to have prisons make licence plates.  Not sure if that is still true.)

 

Germany had the best system I have seen.  You go to the "LTO" and get your papers.  Go outside and there are 4 or 5 small offices that make plates.  These are private businesses licensed to have the blanks and press.  5 minutes later you take the plate back inside, get stickers put on it, and you are done.

[Mike S]

So the Phil government makes a contract to have plates made ..... one of the loosing bidders cries foul and gets a restraining order to stop payment for the plates ..... the Philippines stopps payment on the license plates ..... the winning bidder refuses to release 600,000 plates being held in Manila because of non-payment ..... BOC decides (I'm sure under direction of the Phil government ..... remember no one here makes a decision without some higher up authorizing it) so they decide that they will bid out the P40,000,000 of storage + fees to the highest bidder .... who will then do what .... sell the plates themselves ..... sell them to the LTO ..... use them to cover the roofs of squatters ....  god only knows ..... but you can bet your sweet bippy that it will be a cold day in hell before another foreign company agrees or bids on making license plates for the Philippines .... remember the paper drivers licenses .... how about paper car tags .... cheap to make can just run them off from a computer printer .... paste them to in inside your rear window and your good to go ..... :hystery: :hystery: :hystery: :hystery: :hystery: 

:cheersty: