Customs chief says own exposé caused his ouster

Outgoing Customs Commissioner Angelito Alvarez on Wednesday said that his decision to expose “deep-rooted" anomalies in his own agency caused his ouster from his post. In an interview with news anchor Howie Severino over GMA News TV’s “News To Go," Alvarez cited as an example his exposé on 1,910 container vans carrying high-duty goods that were transported from the port of Manila to the port of Batangas without paying duties and taxes, which became the subject of a congressional inquiry earlier this month. “Nung na-discover ko iyan, nag-initiate ako ng investigation internally. I saw to it na there will be no sacred cows… Nilagyan ko na rin ng permanent solution ang problem. Pinatigil ko na ang transshipment operations kung magbabayad ka rin lang ng duties and taxes doon sa other port," he said. He maintained that these allegedly anomalous transshipment operations existed even before his term. According to him, 3656 container vans were allowed to enter the country without paying taxes and duties last year. “Nangyari rin ito during the past administration. Sabi ko, tip of the iceberg lang itong na-discover ko… Na-confirm yung mga bali-balita noon na matagal na ginagawa ito," Alvarez said. Smuggling as source of poll funds? He even suggested that links with smugglers may have been the source of funds for some government officials in 2010—an election year. “Naging malaking source of funds ito during the past administration at hindi natin madi-discount ang possibility na nagamit itong pondong nakuha rito for the elections," he said. Alvarez said he is wondering why he is being held liable for exposing alleged wrong practices in the Bureau of Customs (BOC) even before his term as commissioner. “Hindi ko nga maintindihan kung bakit ganito ang nangyari. Ako na nga ang naka-discover, ako pa ang chinacharge-an ng command responsibility," he said in an interview with news anchor Howie Severino over GMA News TV’s “News To Go." “Kung hindi ko inaksyunan itong charge, I can understand na may basis ‘yung kanilang charge against me. Pero inaksyunan ko na nga eh, binigyan ko na nga ng permanent solution ang problem," he added. President Benigno Aquino III announced last Monday that Alvarez will be replaced as Customs chief, although he did not identify who the replacement will be. Malacañang has cited Alvarez’ performance, not propaganda, as the reason behind his ouster. Rumors have it that former Muntinlupa congressman and defeated senatorial bet Ruffy Biazon, who is Aquino’s party-mate at the Liberal Party, will be appointed to BOC as a replacement for Alvarez.

Alvarez, however, said that he does not regret exposing these anomalies and expressed hopes that the government will be able to solve these problems even beyond his term. “No matter what, desisyon ko ‘yun na i-expose itong problem. Sa tingin ko, may lessons learned after this," he said. Alvarez has been criticized since early this year for failing to lead a raid of big-time smugglers in Manila. His agency also failed to intercept the smuggling of supposed “hot cars" through Mindanao ports. Transition Alvarez further said that he will see to it that the change of leadership in the BOC will be “smooth" and done in “professional" manner when he steps down of his post. “Ise-share ko sa papalit sa akin ang records of the case. Alam ko naman na ang gobyerno natin, nakatutok dito," he said. He, however, clarified that he has yet to receive a formal notice of his replacement from Finance Secretary Cesar Purisima. The BOC is an attached agency of the Department of Finance. Despite his pending ouster, Alvarez said he is still “grateful" to President Aquino for giving him a chance to serve in government. He also expressed confidence that Biazon, if ever he will be chosen as his replacement, will be able to handle the post he is set to vacate with honesty and integrity. “Ang tingin ko, beterano na sya [Biazon]. Nag-serve na sya sa gobyerno, kaya hindi na sya kelangan turuan. He is also a man of integrity," Alvarez said. - KBK, GMA News