Aquino picks Finance Undersecretary Sevilla as Customs OIC

Finance Undersecretary John "Sunny" Sevilla" was picked by President Benigno Aquino III as officer-in-charge (OIC) of the Bureau of Customs, the Department of Finance said in a statement Wednesday.

 

The appointment came two days Commissioner Ruffy Biazon stepped down after having been named by the Department of Justice as respondent together with 33 others to a malversation case over the pork barrel scam.
 

Finance Secretary Cesar Purisima said they are "in full support" of Sevilla's appointment.

 

"Leadership of the Bureau of Customs requires someone who is results-oriented and an expert on economics, international relations, and project implementation. These traits describe Sunny Sevilla perfectly," the Finance chief said in the statement.

 

Sevilla would relinquish his post as Finance undersecretary for the Corporate Affairs Group and Privatization, a position he held since 2010, according to the statement.

 

Sevilla also served as undersecretary for Privatization from 2006 to 2007.

 

Before his stint at the Finance Department, Sevilla was an executive director at investment bank Goldman Sachs, and an associate director and sovereign rater for credit rating agency Standard and Poor's.

 

He was also a chief operating officer of Synergeia Foundation, a non-profit organization which seeks to improve the quality of public education in the Philippines.

 

He graduated from Cornell University with a degree in Economics and Government, and holds a Master of the Arts degree in Public Affairs from Princeton University.

 

"We recognize that it is our temporary loss at the DOF to see Undersecretary Sevilla go, but nevertheless, we wish him the best on this new opportunity to serve the country," Purisima said.

 

In a press briefing earlier at Malacañang, Coloma said the President would give the "leverage" to Purisima regarding the "transition period" at the Customs Bureau until a formal appointment of a Customs commissioner. – Marc Cayabyab/VS, GMA News