Alvarez, former PBA chairman, named next Customs chief

(Updated 3:28 p.m.) Philippine Basketball Association (PBA) chairman Angelito Alvarez has been named the new head of the Bureau of Customs (BOC), the national government’s second largest revenue source. Executive Secretary Jojo Ochoa confirmed this information when asked by GMANews.TV in a text message whether Alvarez is indeed the new Customs chief. [See: Pardo, Ramos expected to replace Alvarez in PBA] Alvarez, Air21 board representative and team manager, is the outgoing PBA chairman and is scheduled to turn over the post to current vice chairman Rene Pardo next month. Alvarez, who reportedly resigned as an Air21 executive as early as last month, was one of SGV & Co's (SyCip Gorres Velayo & Co.) top accountants. Alvarez and newly-appointed Finance Secretary Cesar Purisima became co-workers at the SGV. Alvarez, who stayed at the SGV for five years, then transferred to the Lina Group and became a top executive of some of the companies owned by Bert and Sylvia Lina, where he worked for the past 20 years. He served as president of several Lina Group companies and took charge of running the company's basketball affairs from the defunct Metropolitan Basketball Association (MBA) with the Laguna Lakers until the time Air21, then known as FedEx entered the PBA when it bought the Tanduay franchise. Known for successfully arranging various deals, Alvarez was also given a moniker by his peers as the PBA's "Master Trader," allowing him to make his team as a strong contender despite its modest budget. In a separate report, Alvarez, 52, was sworn in at 10 a.m. on Tuesday by Finance Secretary Cesar Purisima at the Department of Finance. The former Sycip,Gorres, Velayo & Co. senior auditor will assume official functions during formal turnover rites at 11 a.m. on Tuesday at the Bureau of Customs, with Purisima and outgoing Customs commissioner Napoleon Morales in attendance. Alvarez, who has six children (four boys and two girls), was with his wife, Maria Vilma, at the swearing-in ceremony. He will take his oath of office with Pres. Aquino at 2 p.m. on Thursday in Malacañang. His first marching orders, Alvarez said, are to “meet revenue goals, work in close coordination with the Bureau of Internal Revenue to prevent tax leakages, and identify smugglers." A graduate of Far Eastern University and a Certified Public Accountant by profession, Alvarez also worked for Sunnyvale-based Advanced Micro Devices (currently Amkor-Anam, one of the biggest semiconductor companies in the country) as an accounting manager. Alvarez will be following the footsteps of his corporate benefactor LGC chairman Bert Lina, who served as Customs commissioner during the tenure of President Gloria Macapagal-Arroyo. “I have as an advantage having worked with Mr. Lina, Secretary Purisima, and former BIR commissioner Willie Parayno," said Alvarez, who is also a part-owner of PhilKing Restaurants Development Corp., the local franchise holder of Burger King. “I have been properly trained by two former BOC commissioners and educated early on Customs matters." The new Customs Commissioner is looking to improve the image of his office. “It needs transformation and we have to address the issue of its image," Alvarez said. “I also hope to create a productive working environment, better salaries and benefits, in order to be able to render quality service and boost government collection." On Monday, Alvarez informed league governors, who were having their board meeting, of the news, inviting them to the turnover ceremony set this morning. - RJAB Jr., GMANews.TV