Biazon open to another gov’t job, but not at BOC

Resigned Customs Commissioner Ruffy Biazon. INQUIRER FILE PHOTO

MANILA, Philippines—Right on the day that he vacated his post, resigned Customs Commissioner Ruffy Biazon said he is still open to going back to public service, but prefers a “less controversial post.”

“I’m always ready to render public service as long as there is no hindrance,” Biazon said in an interview, referring to the complaint filed against him by the National Bureau of Investigation for allegedly channeling pork barrel to dubious nongovernment organizations put up by Janet Lim-Napoles, the alleged mastermind of the P10-billion scam.

But Biazon was quick to add that he would never go back to the Bureau of Customs (BOC).

“I believe that in the BOC, once you’re out you don’t go back. What will you do that you have not done before? And I want to give chance for fresh leadership,” he said Friday, his last day in office.

Less controversial

He said he would prefer a “less controversial post” if ever he is offered one someday. “Let’s see, they know where my expertise or skill is,” he said.

When asked if he was offered another government post by President Aquino when he tendered his resignation last Monday, Biazon said “we did not talk about it.”

Biazon admitted that he had aspired for a particular department before but refused to name it “because the people there are doing a top-level performance.”

“I won’t mention the department anymore because the people there might have the impression that I’m after their positions,” he said.

Biazon admitted that his two-year stint at the BOC was one of the most stressful jobs he ever had.

“It’s stressful because so many interests are involved. There are so many aspects to the job,” he added.

He admitted that there was a time when reporting for work almost became a daily struggle for him.

Everyday struggle

“It has become an everyday struggle for me if I would continue serving here at the BOC. That was a daily question on my mind especially when there were challenges. I was asking myself if it was all worth it.  In the first place I did not seek this post, I was recruited for a mission. That was how I looked at it. It was a mission,” he said.

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