Wait for official word on Customs intel chief, says Danny Lim

MANILA, Philippines—Retired Brigadier Geneal Danilo Lim remained tightlipped on whether he would be appointed to the Bureau of Customs as its intelligence chief although he acknowledged that he could be on Malacanang’s shortlist since his name has been cropping up for quite some time.

“Let’s just wait for the official announcement. I myself want to know if the information is true,” Lim told reporters at the Metropolitan Manila Development Authority (MMDA) office Monday morning where he attended a campaign against tobacco use.

“Until there‘s no official order, I think it‘s not true,” he continued.

Lim recalled that his name likewise floated when Malacañang sought a replacement for embattled Bureau of Corrections (BuCor) Director Ernesto Diokno, who has since been replaced by Gaudencio Pangilinan, a retired military general as well.

By the looks of it, Lim conceded that he could been among those considered to head the BuCor, just the same way as his name was being tied to a likely appointment at the customs bureau.

“Whether I work for the government again or not, the Aquino administration has my full support,” he said.

Aquino replaced Angelito Alvarez as customs commissioner after speculations were rife the official was on the Palace’s chopping block over his performance. The President purportedly grew irate over the smuggling of vehicles in Mindanao, which included a high-end motorbike reportedly stolen from a Hollywood scriptwriter.

Malacañang has yet to announce Alvarez’s replacement but some officials claimed that the President has picked former Muntinlupa Representative Ruffy Biazon as the successor of the sacked Customs commissioner.

Biazon, a Liberal Party mate of Mr. Aquino, lost in the 2010 senatorial race.