Guerrero stays as Customs chief

MANILA, Philippines — Customs Commissioner Rey Leonardo Guerrero will remain at the helm of the Bureau of Customs (BOC) for now amid reports of a new appointment to the post. 

Cabinet Secretary Karlo Nograles said there has been no orders reaching his office about the supposed appointment of Davao-based businessman William D.J. Lima. 

Reports have it that Guerrero will be replaced by Lima, who was also earlier appointed by the President as special envoy to China. The position at the BOC was reportedly offered to Lima during the dinner tendered by President Duterte for Chinese Ambassador Huang Xilian last Wednesday. 

“There is no specific instruction yet. As far as we are concerned, we wait for orders but no orders were issued for the moment,” Nograles said.

Finance Secretary Carlos Dominguez III said he met with the President several times this week and there was no hint of such decision.

Dominguez also forwarded to reporters a text from Dante Ang, special envoy of the President for international public relations and chairman emeritus of The Manila Times, which published the story on Guerrero being replaced.

“I think my reporter got it all wrong. I will correct the erroneous story,” Ang’s text to Dominguez read.

The BOC is an attached agency of the Department of Finance. 

Lima was reportedly surprised by the reports that he was offered the Customs post.

Lima has been the President’s friend since he was Davao City mayor.

Duterte appointed Guerrero to the BOC in October 2018 after his stint as Maritime Industry Authority administrator. Guerrero replaced former general Isidro Lapeña, who was transferred to the Technical Education and Skills Development Authority as director-general, after allegations of rampant corruption in the bureau surfaced.

While he is open to step down if needed, Guerrero said he was surprised with the reports.  

In an ambush interview, Guerrero told reporters that he does not question Duterte’s decision as he emphasized he is willing to vacate his post should the President say so. 

“Of course, I, too, was puzzled. So I said there was no basis for that … but in due time, everything will be clarified,” Guerrero said in Filipino. 

“I am here because I am an appointed official. So, it depends with the President’s decision. I have no qualms with that. Let’s just wait for Malacañang’s decision,” he added.

Guerrero said he was not notified by Dominguez of the alleged decision.  

The BOC hosted yesterday a media fellowship to present its accomplishments in 2019 and its 10-point agenda for 2020, including a priority project to achieve full automation of frontline services. ?

Under his leadership, Guerrero emphasized that they were successful in the drive against corruption as he noted that the BOC has been recognized for their efforts on freedom of information, which according to him was a manifestation of transparency. 

He also said the agency has filed appropriate charges against some erring employees, including 120 personnel who have pending cases before some lower courts and with the Office of the Ombudsman.