No change in BOC leadership, says Purisima

Amid speculations that Bureau of Customs (BOC) Commissioner Angelito Alvarez is about to be replaced, Finance Secretary Cesar Purisima said late Thursday the bureau's leadership hasn't changed. Commissioners of both the Customs Bureau and the Bureau of Internal Revenue (BIR) are evaluated based on their ability to meet their respective collection targets. “I continue to work with both commissioners," Purisima said, referring to BIR chief Kim Henares and Alvarez. All presidential appointees serve at the pleasure of President Benigno Aquino III, Purisima noted Elizabeth Lee last week resigned as president of the Chamber of Automotive Manufacturers of the Philippines Inc. (CAMPI) and chief operating officer of Universal Motors Corp., which fueled speculations she would replace the Customs chief. “The gossip and the names will always be there," noted Purisima. However, such rumors should not distract presidential appointese from doing their job, the Finance chief said. "Our hands are full. We don’t want to distract our work," he added. Alvarez, who recently took an official trip to Brussels, said such reports are not surprising because the position of Customs commissioner is very controversial. The BIR is tasked to collect P940 billion this year, and BOC is assigned a revenue goal of P320 billion. — VS, GMA News