A few weeks ago, one of the biggest stories of the news cycle was the discovery that PUP Area Rep. Marconi Leal's name ended up on a customs appraisal form for a 2021 Volkswagen Atlas SUV, which turned out to be stolen from the USA.
That's the vehicle that tour operator Yhony Rosado bought from a local car dealer but which the police impounded. When we checked with Leal about his connection to the supposedly stolen ride, he said that he consented to the customs appraisal matter because he was trying to quote, "...assist a friend with a little discount on the duty." End quote.
Our sources have suggested that Leal is not the only politician to make such a request - and that the practice also extends to the former UDP government. So, when we caught up with his colleague, Kareem Musa, at another event, we asked Musa if he has tried to offer this kind of assistance. Here's his response:
Daniel Ortiz
"Has any such request come to you, and have you ever allowed your name to be used in such a way?"
Kareem Musa - Minister of Home Affairs
"I recall in one instance, somebody had requested that I request from the Customs Department for assistance in importing a vehicle. I think I had requested, but I don't know if it was ever approved, but that would only have been one instance."
Daniel Ortiz
"Sir, is it concerning to you that that is - the public sees these as things that politicians should provide in order to maintain their support or to get their support?"
Kareem Musa
"No, I don't think so. I think, as you said, all types of requests come to politicians."
"Sometimes they ask you to write to the US embassy to get a visa for you to help them with customs because they feel that it's unfair or exorbitant when it comes to land transfer, land transfers, and stamp duties exorbitant-. So, the most that a politician can do is request. And so we request these things like the US Embassy all the time. And when I follow up, they said no, it was denied, we didn't get the visa, and so politicians are put in those positions, but that does not necessarily mean that it will be granted. So, even if a politician requests a reduction or a discount because the individual may feel it's unfair, there is no guarantee. Upon review, they might say no, this is actually a fair value. You should pay for it. And at the end of the day, the politician can't do anything about that."
