MANILA, April 23 (PNA) — Malacanang announced on Thursday evening the appointment of former Bureau of Customs (BOC) Commissioner Alberto D. Lina as the new Customs chief.
Lina replaces John Phillip Sevilla, who announced his resignation earlier in the day.
The Palace said a turnover ceremony for these officials will be held at the BOC office in Port Area, Manila at 2:30 p.m. Friday.
In a statement, Presidential Communications Operations Office (PCOO) Secretary Herminio Coloma Jr. said President Benigno Aquino III named Lina after accepting Sevilla’s resignation.
”The new Commissioner also served as Customs Commissioner in the previous administration,” he added.
Sevilla resigned from his post due to alleged political pressure.
Despite Sevilla’s resignation, Coloma said reforms in the BOC will continue such as the automation of customs processes and capacity building among its employees.
”We continue to implement all these since we are entering the era of ASEAN integration,” Coloma said, pointing out that tariff systems and the system of collecting tax duties “will have to be reviewed and revamped in accordance with the changing realities.”
”Sapat na sabihin na lang natin na sa kabuuan, ang administrasyon ay mayroong commitment na labanan ‘yung pagpasok ng mga impluwensyang makakasakal o pipigil doon sa kampanya laban sa korapsyon at para makapagtatag ng integridad, hindi lang sa Bureau of Customs kundi sa buong burukrasya. (It is enough to say that in general the administration has a commitment to fight anything that will counter the campaign against corruption and the bid to establish integrity not only in the Bureau of Customs but the whole bureaucracy),” he added. (PNA)