Mangaoang files petition vs. order for her transfer

Despite the indefinite suspension of her transfer to Iloilo City, Cebu customs collector Maria Lourdes Mangaoang has filed a petition for injunction before the Court of Appeals against the order of her superior, acting Bureau of Customs commissioner Napoleon Morales, for her reassignment.

Mangaoang, through her counsel, former provincial prosecutor Oliveros Kintanar, asked the appellate court to issue a temporary restraining order against Morales' Customs Personnel Order 169-2006 reassigning her to Iloilo City and appointing collector Grace Caringal as her replacement.

Mangaoang questioned Morales authority to implement the order without the approval of Department of Finance Sec. Margarito Teves, invoking Administrative Order 133 signed by President Gloria Macapagal Arroyo in December, which stated that reassignments of customs collectors need the approval of the finance secretary.

Although Mangaoang admitted that it is Morales' prerogative to reassign her, the order should be exercised "not whimsically."

But in a text message sent to The Freeman last night, Mangaoang said that she is planning to withdraw the petition because she was informed that the order would be nullified allegedly upon order from Malacañang.

Mangaoang said that customs officer-in-charge Alex Arevalo informed her that CPO 169-2006 has been indefinitely suspended. Arevalo is designated as OIC of the BoC because Morales is on official trip abroad.

According to Mangaoang, the suspension of the order will give time to their Manila office to reevaluate its position whether to implement or completely revoke the order.

Mangaoang also dispelled speculations that First Gentleman Mike Arroyo had a hand in her impending transfer to Iloilo City.

She also downplayed speculations that she has been beholden to those who lobbied for her retention as collector at the Port of Cebu after she received overwhelming support from the business sector and local politicians.

"My loyalty is for the government and to public service," Mangaoang said in an interview over ABS-CBN's TV Patrol Central Visayas. - Fred P. Languido