REFORMS in the Bureau of Customs (BoC) will stay on track despite the change in leadership, Finance Secretary Carlos G. Dominguez III said.
“There is a [personnel] change, but there is no change in management thrust in the agency… I expect that the improvements will continue, and then we will move forward with the current thrust of the agency,” Mr. Dominguez told reporters yesterday.
President Rodrigo R. Duterte announced late Monday that he has accepted Nicanor E. Faeldon’s resignation as the Customs chief, with the agency under pressure due to an investigation into P6.4 billion worth of methamphetamine hydrochloride, known locally as ‘shabu,’ in a Valenzuela warehouse in May.
The illegal drugs are alleged to have been shipped from China, raising questions about how they got past Customs.
In separate House and Senate hearings, legislators questioned Mr. Faeldon’s capability in running the bureau, and has called for his resignation.
Mr. Dominguez stood by Mr. Faeldon, noting that the discovery of tax evasion by cigarette manufacturer Mighty Corp. eventually resulted in a record tax settlement.
“Our success in the collection of some P30 billion pesos from Mighty was initiated by the BoC…So I have no doubt about his honesty and sincerity.”
Still, Mr. Dominguez said that he is confident with the appointment of Philippine Drug Enforcement Agency Director-General Isidro S. Lapeña to replace Mr. Faeldon as the Customs Commissioner.
“I am very confident in the new appointee who is Sid Lapeña. He is a very honest, thorough, and very straight guy,” Mr. Dominguez said.
Asked whether the bureau will be on target to meet its goals, Mr. Dominguez said: “I think the agency is shaping up and I think they are fully aware that this big job is in front of them. Let me just point out that I think the Bureau of Customs is well on its way to showing that it can meet up with its responsibilities.”
Mr. Faeldon issued a statement on his resignation yesterday saying: “My relief from my post is the best for our country. I urge everyone to continue to support the reform agenda and the development programs of the President.”
“I thank everyone who has supported the Bureau of Customs during my stay and I appeal to the BoC employees and to the public to support the new commissioner. Thank you very much,” he said.
The BoC — an agency of the Department of Finance, and the second-largest revenue generating agency — is currently implementing Republic Act No. 10863 or the Customs Modernization and Tariff Act, to bring customs procedures up to international standards, utilize information and communications technology more extensively, and curb illicit activities in its ports.
The agency is tasked to collect P467.9 billion this year. As of the first half, it has collected P210.28 billion, up 10.35% from actual collections a year earlier. — Elijah Joseph C. Tubayan
