Biazon reassigns 'Three Kings' of the BOC to policy research center

The so-called "Three Kings" of the Bureau of Customs have been moved from their positions as district collectors in Metro Manila's largest ports to do research and policy work. This is part of the organizational reshuffle aimed at improving the government agency's negative image.

 

A report aired on "24 Oras" Saturday confirmed that Ricardo Belmonte, head of the Manila International Container Port (MICP); Rogel Gatchalian, head of the Port of Manila; and Carlos So, head of the Ninoy Aquino International Airport (NAIA) have been reassigned to work at the Customs Policy Research Office (CPRO), a policy research center under the Department of Finance.

 

 

The three revenue collectors, tagged as the "Three Kings" because of the powerful backers they allegedly have, are part of the 27 level five and level six collectors transferred by Customs Commissioner Ruffy Biazon to work at the CPRO.

 

A separate, earlier report on "24 Oras" (watch the video below) stated that Mr. So is allegedly backed by Iglesia ni Cristo, while Gatchalian's protector is Senator Juan Ponce Enrile. Belmonte, meanwhile is the brother of House Speaker Sonny Belmonte.

 

The ports headed by the three district collectors reportedly failed to meet their revenue targets last year. Biazon, however, denied that the three collectors' alleged links to powerful politicians compelled him to move them away from their position at the ports. 

 

"Yang sinasabing akusasyon o panghihinala is unfair to them. Ang dahilan ng pagkuha  at pagpili sa kanila ay yung kanilang expertise at experience," Biazon said.

 

Malacañang earlier announced on Saturday that former Armed Forces of the Philippines chief of staff Gen. Jessie Dellosa has been appointed to the BOC as one of its deputy commissioners, replacing military man Danilo Lim.

 

An organizational reshuffle has taken place at the BOC since President Benigno Aquino III berated the agency in his State of the Nation Address (SONA) last July 22 for allegedly failing to curb smuggling operations. – Xianne Arcangel / KDM, GMA News