20 Customs execs submit courtesy resignation

Bureau of Customs INQUIRER file photo / JOAN BONDOC

About 20 Bureau of Customs (BOC) officials — all presidential appointees — have submitted their “courtesy resignation” to Commissioner Rey Leonardo Guerrero,  the BOC spokesperson confirmed on Tuesday.

Lawyer Erastus Sandino Austria said in a text message to INQUIRER.net that since Guerrero assumed position in the agency, some officials of the BOC have filed their “courtesy resignation” as part of a “standard practice.”

“The resignation is a standard practice even in other government offices whenever a new head is appointed to give him a free hand to choose his people or make recommendations,” he said.

Guerrero was appointed by President Rodrigo Duterte as the new BOC chief after the latter transferred Isidro Lapeña to be the next Director-General of Technical Education and Skills Development Authority.

READ: Lapeña out of Customs but named Tesda chief with Cabinet rank

Both Guerrero and Lapeña took their respective oath of office before the President last Oct. 31.

READ: Guerrero, Lapeña sworn in as new Customs, Tesda heads

Austria, however, said that since it is a courtesy resignation, it is still up to Duterte whether he would accept or decline the resignation papers of the 20 BOC officials whose identities remain undisclosed.

“As a matter of mutual courtesy the Commissioner has not released the names,” he said.

“In the meantime,  the Commissioner has directed everyone to continue working,” he added. /jpv