New Customs chief bares 5 top orders

Customs chief Yogi Filemon Ruiz

MANILA, Philippines — New Customs Commissioner Yogi Filemon Ruiz on Monday committed to protect the border from illegal drugs and guns while weeding out corrupt and underperforming revenue personnel.

“When I talked to the president, he gave me five orders that are my marching orders: No. 1, absolutely no drugs; No. 2, no guns; No. 3, eliminate agricultural smuggling; No. 4, increase revenue generation; and No. 5, go for full automation and digitalization. Those, I intend to fulfill to the best of my ability,” Ruiz told reporters following the turnover ceremonies with former Customs chief Rey Leonardo Guerrero.

Ruiz was earlier announced to assume the top customs post in acting capacity.

Ruiz said it would help that he was an “insider” at the Bureau of Customs (BOC), having been appointed by former President Rodrigo Duterte as director of the enforcement and security service in 2018. He had led the antismuggling drive against rice, fake cigarettes and tax stamps, as well as guns and ammunition, among others.

The new Customs chief said he also intends to continue the programs and projects jump-started by his predecessor, especially digitalization and modernization — 91.8 percent or 156 out of the 170 customs processes had been automated through 33 information and communications technology projects rolled out during the last three years, BOC data had shown.

Envisioned changes

In the fight against smuggling, Ruiz said some more improvements in customs processes and in detecting smuggled items attempting entry into the country’s ports were underway. “The changes that we will be implementing will result in additional intervention in the seaports and airports,” he said.

As for corruption within the BOC’s ranks, Ruiz said: “I’ll give lawful and rightful punishment to our colleagues who go rogue.”

With regard to President Ferdinand Marcos Jr.’s order to shore up tax collections, Ruiz noted that at present, the 17 ports were performing well. “So why fix something that is not broken?” Ruiz said when asked if he would reshuffle the district collectors.

However, Ruiz said the BOC under his watch would strictly chase after the ports’ monthly revenue targets. “If they could not meet their target revenue, then expect to be replaced by someone who can meet the targets.”

Marcos’ economic team had tasked the BOC to collect a higher P733 billion this year, to reap a tax windfall from costly fuel. Before he was replaced by Ruiz, Guerrero had expressed confidence that the BOC could again achieve its 2022 target.

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