“Over 40 applicants” eyeing top BOC post
Guerrero ‘excited’ to meet his successor
BUREAU of Customs (BOC) commissioner Rey Leonardo Guerrero said he is “excited” to meet whoever would replace him in the top customs post, which, according to a reliable source, has reached “over 40 applicants.”
In a talk with Pinoy Exposé, Guerrero also bared he did not submit any request to the new administration of Pres. Ferdinand ‘Bongbong’ Marcos Jr., for an “extension” of his term that begun when he was appointed by Pres. Rodrigo Duterte in October 2018, at a time when the agency is wracked by controversies, especially the smuggling of illegal drugs into the country.
“As you know, I never aspired for this position,” said the bemedaled and highly-respected former Chief of Staff of the Armed Forces of the Philippines. “Right now, I am excited to meet whoever would be appointed to as my replacement so I can brief him on the many positive changes and ongoing reforms that we are currently undertaking,” Guerrero said.
Guerrero said at the top would be the agency’s modernization program that has thus far resulted to the computerization and ‘digitization’ of nearly 70 percent of its operations and processes.
Guerrero averred these reforms already resulted to the BOC and the Philippines being placed on the third spot of the 10-member ASEAN countries in the category of ease of doing business.
He also pointed to the various international commitments, partnerships and programs the agency has made during his term, among them those with the World Customs Organization (WCO).
Guerrero said there is also a need to pursue the ‘National Single Windows’ (NSW) project that seeks to inter-connect all relevant government agencies into one single network in order to facilitate trade and the issuance of government permits that would also aid in the government’s campaign against smuggling.
Of the over 40 applicants seeking the top customs’ post, the list, the source added, has been “trimmed down” to around 10 applicants with two names getting prominence—former Philippine Marines commandant, M/Gen. Alvin Parreño and, former customs deputy commissioner, Atty. Rey Nicolas.
Parreño’s appointment is being pushed by National Security Adviser, Secretary Clarita Carlos, who even “confirmed” to the media of his appointment.
Nicolas, on the other hand, has been ordered re-instated to the BOC by the Civil Service Commission (CSC) as far back as 2012, but this is yet to be implemented.
Referring to reports directly linking him to smuggling as well as other customs officials, Guerrero, in jest, said those behind the smear job may have been “worried” that Pres. Marcos Jr. may suddenly retain him from his post.
Pinoy Exposé also learned that during his exit briefing with his replacement, Secretary Benjamin Diokno, Finance Secretary Carlos Dominguez, had “advised” for the retention of Guerrero, worrying his being replaced at this point may hold back by two years the agency’s ongoing modernization program.
“Baka iniisip nila (critics), ma-retain ako dito eh hindi naman ako nag-apply (for extension). I am just grateful to Pres. Rodrigo Duterte for giving me another opportunity to serve our people in another capacity after I retired from the AFP. I believe we made a difference here.
“I also have great respect for our new president, Pres. Bongbong Marcos,” he added.
