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New Customs chief: PNoy told me to spare no one


Newly-installed Bureau of Customs Commissioner Rufino Biazon on Friday said he got an order from President Benigno Aquino III to "spare no one" in enforcing the law. “Malinaw na sinabi sa akin ng Pangulo na i-implement natin ang batas at walang sasantuhin," Biazon said at a press briefing in Malacañang Friday after he took his oath. “Ang ibig sabihin noon, seryoso ang Pangulo doon sa laban sa katiwalian sa loob ng Bureau of Customs (BOC)," he added. Biazon’s top agenda: "Ipaparamdam natin sa kanila kung ano ang direksyon ng ating administration pag-upo diyan, pagkatapos, isusunod ang review ng buong performance ng mga naririyan sa Bureau." He wanted to know who among the Customs personnel should be retained, who should be transferred and who should be promoted. “Hindi lang naman tayo maninibak kundi... meron talagang meritorious diyan bibigyan din natin sila ng reward," he said. Biazon also intends to review the systems and procedures being implemented in the BOC in order to determine and address the loopholes. Asked if he is ready to fight the smugglers and corruption in the bureau, Biazon said he is prepared, adding that “Ang una kasing depensa natin diyan sa katiwalian siyempre iyong katauhan noong mamumuno." So dito sa bagay na ito, sa tingin ko, kaya ko namang sabihin na matibay ang ating paninindigan na hindi tayo padadala sa mga lalapit sa atin para gawing baluktot iyong daang matuwid," he said. Also, the new Customs chief said he will set up a feedback system to make the bureau more transparent and accountable. He said he is confident that his experience as a former member of Congress has prepared him for the task. “Having dealt with different agencies and government officials [in the past...], sa tingin ko magagamit ko iyan sa pag-oversee sa buong ahensya," he said. Politics set aside Meanwhile, Biazon said he has put aside plans to run for senator or any elective post in 2013 or in 2016 so he can focus on the task at hand. “Ang focus natin ngayon iyong mandate na ibinigay sa atin. Kung inambisyon ko na tumakbo sa ibang pwesto, lahat ng decisions ko ngayon will be affected by that ambition," he said. Also, he said he received a list of suspected smugglers or questionable personalities from several sources but he will have to verify the information first. “Maraming list na ibinigay sa akin at iba’t ibang sources. I treat those as just preliminary information but I have to rely on an official output coming from my own agency," he said. Biazon said he will work closely with the newly appointed Customs deputy commissioner for intelligence Danilo Lim. “I am happy that Lim is there because of his competence in that field. I will work closely with him. Of course, I will be expecting a lot from him. Iyong susi para maresolba ang problema ng katiwalian sa loob ng BOC ay iyong intelligence gatherin, information," he said. — LBG, GMA News

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