DEPARTMENT of Finance Secretary Bejamin Diokno expressed his support and confidence to Bureau of Customs director, Bienvenido Rubio, who formally assumed the post as Commissioner of Customs last February 13, 2023.
“Today, the Department of Finance is honored to welcome the appointment of Mr. Bienvenido Rubio as the new chief of the Bureau of Customs,” Diokno said in a speech delivered for him by Finance Undersecretary Bayani Agabin during the simple ceremonial turnover that has been barred from coverage by most members of the press.
Rubio replaced Yogi Filemon Ruiz, the former Enforcement and Security Service (ESS) director who has been the acting customs commissioner since July 25, 2022 (see also Pinoy Exposé, February 11, 2023).
Rubio, a seasoned customs intelligence officer and since promoted as Director, Port Operations Service (POS), would be Pres. Ferdinand Marcos Jr.’s second customs chief in less than a year.
“I am confident that Commissioner Rubio will take on this mission with utmost commitment, integrity, and excellence,” Diokno added.
Only last February 7, Diokno represented the Chief Executive during the BOC’s 121st founding anniversary where Pres. Marcos heaped praises on the achievements of the bureau under Ruiz, particularly its more than P862 billion tax collection, the highest in the agency’s history (see also Pinoy Exposé, February 11, 2023).
Diokno said modernizing Customs administration must be a key priority of Rubio, adding that digitalization will be a defining factor in the Marcos administration’s bid to achieve modern governance. “A digital customs administration allows the government to focus its resources in the identification of higher risk entities, while enhancing the ease of doing business,” Diokno told Rubio.
The finance chief also expects Rubio will bring in a “fresh vision” to the customs bureau.
“As we enter 2023, I trust that Commissioner Rubio will bring in a fresh vision and even loftier targets to move the bureau closer to the goal of becoming a modern and world-class Customs agency that ranks among the best in the world,” he said.
For his part, Rubio, in his speech, vowed to accomplish Pres. Marcos’ four directives: hit and surpass the revenue target, simplify and secure the facilitation of trade, curb smuggling in any form, and uplift the morale of the men and women of the bureau.
Aligned with the ‘Priority Programs’ of the President, Rubio said he would also push for good governance by implementing sustainable reforms, which include:
– review and revision of policies and procedures by digitalizing all the BOC processes geared towards the President’s call for a transparent and efficient government,
– enhancement of the competencies and integrity of personnel to ensure the delivery of quality public service,
– foster a data-driven culture to ensure the utilization of data gathered in the decision-making at every level of the organization,
– linking actions and heeding feedback and evaluation from partners and stakeholders.
“To my co-workers, it is time to make that pivotal change: to catapult the BOC as a forefront in revenue collection rather than corruption. To achieve that 180-degree turnabout, this aspiration requires each and everyone’s hard work, dedication, and cooperation,” said Rubio.
Rubio started as a Special Agent 1, an entry-level position, under the ESS 21 years ago and rose from the ranks.
A press statement from the BOC said Rubio’s years in service equipped him with an extensive experience in intelligence and operations work.
Meanwhile, in his speech, Ruiz assured Rubio of “a seamless transition.”
He added, “As the Bureau of Customs is set to be led by Commissioner Rubio, I am excited to see the dynamic guidance and proactive approach to which he will direct the Aduana to achieve its vision to become among the world’s best customs administration.”