Palace: Customs chief Alvarez will be replaced even without resignation

Appointing a new Customs commissioner is something President Benigno Aquino III has to do whether or not current Customs chief Angelito Alvarez vacates the post, Malacañang said on Tuesday. “I think the President has indicated already what he wants to do and regardless of whether or not a resignation is submitted then I think the President will do what he has to do," said Ricky Carandang, head of the Presidential Communications Development and Strategic Planning Office. Alvarez has yet to submit his resignation despite President Benigno Aquino III’s announcement last week that he has already chosen a new Customs commissioner. “I’m not aware that he has submitted a resignation at this point. But, as of today, I don’t believe he has submitted a resignation," Carandang said at a press briefing. Aquino had said that he is not satisfied with Alvarez’s performance. He, however, refused to identify Alvarez’s replacement, although rumors have it that it will be former Muntinlupa Rep. Ruffy Biazon, Aquino’s party-mate at the Liberal Party. Biazon refused to comment on the supposed appointment, saying he is waiting for Malacañang’s announcement and that he has not talked to Aquino. Alvarez, for his part, said last week that his decision to expose anomalies in his own agency caused his ouster from his post. — Amita O. Legaspi/KBK, GMA News