New customs chief says he’s tougher than he looks

MANILA, Philippines — The new customs commissioner, Ruffy Biazon, said Friday his nice-guy looks were just a front.

Customs commissioner Ruffy Biazon. INQUIRER FILE PHOTO

Biazon made the remark in response to a suggestion that he appeared too soft for the job of going after smugglers as head of the Bureau of Customs.

“The nice-guy look is just a front…. I make firm decisions,” Biazon said at a noontime news briefing in Malacañang.

Biazon faced reporters after he took his oath of office before President Benigno Aquino III.

“Implement the law; let there be no sacred cows,” Biazon replied when asked what marching orders the President had for him.

Biazon said among the first things he would do when he starts his new job on Monday would be to review the bureau’s systems and staff performance.

The review, he said, would identify who among the customs officials and employees need to be replaced and who need to be promoted.