Nontransfer causing unrest in BOC–Biazon

Customs Commissioner Ruffy Biazon.
INQUIRER FILE PHOTO

MANILA, Philippines—The refusal of some district collectors to report to a newly created agency in the Department of Finance (DOF) is causing unrest in the Bureau of Customs (BOC), according to Commissioner Ruffy Biazon.

“Unrest is the result of the personnel questioning the wisdom and initiative of the leadership. Our move to transfer them is the initiative of the leadership, so once personnel question that then there is already unrest,” said Biazon.

He said the customs collectors should consider their transfer as their contribution to customs reform.

Fifteen customs collectors had asked the Manila Regional Trial Court for a temporary restraining order (TRO) against their transfer to the Customs Policy Research Office (CPRO) in the DOF citing lack of due process and violation of their security of tenure.

They also filed a case of declaratory relief questioning the validity of the customs personnel order (CPO) mandating their transfer.

Biazon signed the CPO on Sept. 17 transferring 27 customs collectors to the CPRO which was created by Executive Order No. 140 for the purpose of reviewing tariff and customs administration policies.

On Friday, the Manila RTC extended the three-day TRO another 17 days, or up to Oct. 20.

“We will abide by the court’s order. But this would also extend the tension in the bureau. The unrest and uneasiness in the bureau will also be extended,” Biazon said.

Finance Secretary Cesar Purisima, meanwhile, said the extension by the Manila court of the TRO ran counter to the efforts to reform the BOC.

“The Manila RTC’s most recent decision serves those who resist reform and cling desperately to the old ways. This runs counter to President Aquino’s agenda to eradicate the predators that plague customs,” Purisima said in a statement.

The statement was issued yesterday following the decision of the court to extend the TRO against the implementation of Customs Personnel Order No. B-189-2013.

The customs personnel order, issued by the BOC and backed by its mother agency, the DOF, transfers 27 customs collectors to new posts.

In particular, they were ordered to report to the CPRO where their duties would include helping draft policy that would ensure that customs operations were in accordance with international standards.