Alcazaren back as Cebu Customs chief

LAWYER Paul Alcazaren resumed yesterday as officer-in-charge of the Bureau of Customs (BOC) – Port of Cebu, easing out lawyer Lourdes Mangaoang who held the post for one week.

This is after the Manila Regional Trial Court (RTC) denied the preliminary injunction sought by 11 customs collectors, including Mangaoang who insisted that she has the legal claim to the post.

Mangaoang, in a text message to Cebu Daily News, said yesterday that she was in Manila to report to the Department of Finance.

“We will proceed with legal remedies but out of respect and courtesy for the Secretary of Finance, we reported to DOF,” she said.

She assumed last October 13 as OIC in the Port of Cebu after Commissioner Rufino Biazon affirmed that she was the legal OIC, having the highest rank at the Port of Cebu as deputy collector.

But Mangaoang was replaced again yesterday by Alcazaren, who had assumed the post in October 1 before Mangaoang took over.

Alcazaren yesterday said Biazon issued last Monday afternoon a memorandum for him to assume the post.

“I would just wait for another order from the commissioner or from the DOF secretary when will I end my duty at the post,” he added.

Alcazaren said they will begin to make an inventory of smuggled items like motorcycles, cars and speed boats which they intend to dispose through public auction.  /CORRESPONDENT MICHELLE JOY L. PADAYHAG