Reiteration of sec. 2401 of tariff and customs code re: supervision and control over judicial proceedings

It has come to the attention of this Office that criminal cases are filed by some personnel of this Bureau in the name of the Bureau of Customs without clearance from the undersigned.

All are reminded of Section 2401 of the Tariff and Customs Code which provides:

"Supervision and Control Over Judicial Proceedings. - In the absence of special provision, judicial action and proceedings instituted on behalf of the Government pursuant to the provisions of this Code shall be subject to the supervision and control of the Commissioner."

In this regard it is hereby directed that all criminal cases filed in the name of the Bureau of Customs shall be coursed thru the Director, Legal Service, for review, except criminal cases for immediate action by the inquest Fiscal. In the latter case, a report thereof shall be immediately submitted to the Director, Legal Service within seventy two (72) hours from the date of inquest.

For strict compliance.

Adopted: 23 June 1993

(Sgd.) GUILLERMO L. PARAYNO, JR.
Commissioner