Lapeña’s promotion questioned

MANILA, Philippines — Former Bureau of Customs (BOC) chief Isidro Lapeña should not have been given a new position while an investigation is ongoing regarding the smuggling of P11 billion worth of shabu into the country, a senator said yesterday.

Sen. Panfilo Lacson issued the statement after acknowledging that the transfer of Lapeña to the TESDA or Technical Education and Skills Development Authority is a prerogative of President Duterte, which no one could question.

However, he said it is illogical for a person who is being accused of a wrongdoing or incompetence to be transferred to another post, especially one that many see as a promotion.

He cited the case of Lapeña’s predecessor Nicanor Faeldon, who was relieved from the BOC in connection with a case involving the smuggling of P6.4 billion worth of shabu earlier this year.

Faeldon was reassigned and named deputy administrator of the Office of Civil Defense.

Lacson said Faeldon’s transfer was questionable, noting the former Customs chief was facing a complaint before the Office of the Ombudsman for smuggling of agricultural products.

He said he himself filed the case against Faeldon before the anti-graft agency.

In the case of Lapeña, Lacson said his transfer indicated a loss of the President’s trust and confidence in him to lead the BOC.

“Although this could be called a promotion since it’s a Cabinet rank, a promotion of rank and position, but this is actually a demotion in terms of trust and confidence,” Lacson said. – Emmanuel Tupas, Janvic Mateo, Artemio Dumlao