Customs revamp halted pending DOF approval

Customs Commissioner Rozzano Rufino Biazon: Mum. INQUIRER FILE PHOTO

MANILA, Philippines – Customs commissioner Ruffy Biazon stopped subport collectors from vacating their posts, pending the Department of Finance’s approval of their reorganization plan, a Radyo Inquirer 990AM report said.

In a memorandum issued Thursday, Biazon ordered  a status  quo at the subport level, temporarily halting his earlier order that all district and subport collectors should relinquish their current assignments.

The Philippine Daily Inquirer reported Wednesday   that the planned revamp in the Customs reshuffle would now be in the hands of DOF Secretary Cesar Purisima.

The so-called “three kings” of Customs – Roger Gatchalian of the port of Manila, Ricardo Belmonte of the Manila International Container Port and Carlos So of the Ninoy Aquino International Airport – were among those supposed to relinquish their posts.

Biazon said only three of the 17 port collectors will retain their positions. They are Tomas Alcid of Batangas, Elvie Cruz of the Limay and Mariveles sup-ports in Bataan, and Fidel Villanueva of San Fernando, La Union.

The fate of the other collectors, however, remained uncertain.