Faeldon justifies hiring of athletes in BOC

Customs Commissioner Nicanor Faeldon on Friday justified the hiring of former Philippine Basketball Association (PBA) and volleyball players in the Bureau of Customs.

"This is not something that we put up. This is a well-thought out program," Faeldon said in a press conference in Manila.

Pulong balitaan sa BOC, humaharap si Comm Faeldon at ex-PBA player Kenneth Durendes. | via @CecilVillarosa pic.twitter.com/EYaIHOabO6

— DZBB Super Radyo (@dzbb) August 4, 2017

"We consulted COA [Commission on Audit] regarding sports development program," he added.

Atty. Mandy Anderson, Faeldon's chief of staff, said that the hiring of professional athletes was part of the BOC's personnel development and training program.

"They (athletes) were hired in order to promote unity in the BOC... when we came in there is some sort of tsismis na there was a divide between the employees so 'yun," Anderson said.

"'Yung pagsali namin... was the first time we actually saw BOC employees come together for one cause," she added.

The BOC chief also clarified that when the agency joined sports activities the team is still composed mostly of "organic" personnel of the Customs.

Faeldon also clarified that the players were not employees of the BOC as they were hired under contract of services.

Former PBA player Kenneth Duremdes joined Faeldon at the press conference. —KG/NB, GMA News