PNoy: Customs reshuffle a 'reset button'

President Benigno Aquino III on Wednesday compared the widespread reshuffling of employees and officers in the Bureau of Customs (BOC) to a reset button, which he said should clean up the agency infamous for corruption.

“Reset button para sa ahensyang matagal nang naging mukha ng katiwalian sa gobyerno. Limang bagong deputy commissioner po ang ating itinalaga. Dalawang EO para maipasok ang bagong dugo, para sa bagong mga pananaw at pamamaraan,” Aquino said in his speech before the Brotherhood of Christian Business and Professionals’ Grand Breakfast in Pasay City.

Aquino was referring to Customs Commissioner Ruffy Biazon’s move to transfer 27 Level 5 and Level 6 collectors of the BOC to the Customs Policy Research Office (CPRO), a policy research center under the Department of Finance (DOF).

Aquino, who castigated the BOC during his State of the Nation Address (SONA) last July, touted the reshuffling as proof of his administration’s commitment to “Tuwid na Daan,” his administration's platform against corruption.

“Ang repormang ipinapatupad natin sa Bureau of Customs ay isa sa mga pinakamatingkad na patunay nito. Mantakin po ninyo: tinatayang umabot sa dalawandaang bilyong piso ang nawawala sa kaban ng bayan dahil sa transaksyonalismo, palakasan, at lantarang pandarambong na matagal na umiiral sa Customs,” Aquino said.

He also defended the move to transfer the affected officials to an office directly under the DOF.

“Naging malinaw po sa atin: Kung babalasahin lang natin ang mga nasa puwesto, pero ilalagay pa rin sila sa kung saan sila maaaring gumawa ng pinsala, talaga pong wala tayong patutunguhan,” the President said.

Aquino said this despite an order from the Manila Regional Trial Court (RTC) for Biazon to suspend the implementation of the transfer order for 72 hours. -- KBK, GMA News