Palace: Marcos wants new BOC chief to eradicate smuggling, strengthen border protection

President Ferdinand ''Bongbong'' Marcos Jr. wants the new Bureau of Customs (BOC) chief to strengthen border protection and eradicate smuggling, Malacañang said on Tuesday. 

In a press briefing, Palace Press Officer Undersecretary Atty. Claire Castro was asked why former BOC Commissioner Bienvenido Rubio was replaced by former Office of Civil Defense administrator Ariel Nepomuceno.

''Katulad ng ating sinasabi, ang Pangulo ang nais po talaga ay makapagbigay ng mas magandang serbisyo ang bawat heads of agencies, ang bawat leader na nasasakupan ng ating Pangulo,'' Castro said.

(Just like what we've been saying, the President wants heads of agencies and leaders to provide good service to the public.) 

''Unang-una po dapat proteksyunan po, i-strengthen 'yung border protection at labanan nga po ang smuggling,'' she said when asked about the President's marching orders for Nepomuceno. 

(First, there's a need to strengthen border protection and fight smuggling.) 

Castro was also asked if Marcos was not satisfied with Rubio's leadership and performance.

''Hindi po natin masasabi 'yan, kung ano man po ang dahilan ng ating Pangulo, malamang po ito'y patungkol pa rin sa ikagaganda ng serbisyo sa taumbayan,'' Castro replied. 

(We can't say that, but whatever the reason of the President, for sure it's to improve the service of the BOC to the public.) 

She also disclosed that six officials, including Rubio, were removed from the BOC. 

''Hindi lamang po isa ang pinalitan, anim po, anim po kasama ang Commissioner ang napalitan. May mga collectors, may mga commissioners, may deputy commissioners and directors, anim po sila sa Bureau of Customs,'' she said.

(Six were replaced, including collectors, commissioners, deputy commissioners, and directors. There were six from BOC.)

''Ang tanging gusto ng Pangulo ay maging tapat sa bansa, labanan ang smuggling at siyempre po maging transparent sa kolekyson ng revenue,'' she added. 

(The President only wants the BOC to be transparent, fight smuggling and be transparent in revenue collection.) 

On Monday, Marcos administered the oath of office to Nepomuceno as the new BOC chief. 

Nepomuceno was not new to the BOC, as he previously held positions within the agency, including assistant commissioner of the Post Clearance Audit Group from December 2017 to April 2018 and deputy commissioner of the Enforcement Group from December 2013 to February 2017.
 
Nepomuceno also served as director and CEO of the Office of Civil Defense under the Department of National Defense from December 2012 to March 2013. —VAL, GMA Integrated News