Former regional executives of national agencies in the region recently endorsed former National Bureau of Investigation regional director Florencio Villarin to head the anti-smuggling and anti-graft watchdog body proposed for creation by President Gloria Arroyo.
During its regular meeting the other day, the Association of Former Regional Executives of National Agencies (AFRENA-7) in Central Visayas formally recommended Villarin to the post to take the lead in fighting smuggling and corruption.
President Arroyo has earlier announced the creation of an anti-smuggling and anti-graft watchdog body to stop smuggling and corruption in the revenue-generating agencies of the government like the Bureau of Customs and the Bureau of Internal Revenue. Aside from endorsing Villarin, AFRENA 7 also wants the abolishment of other recently created units that have the similar function if the proposal of the president pushes through.
AFRENA-7 president David “Boy” Odilao Jr., former district collector of the Bureau of Customs, said he is terribly saddened that despite the creation of so many units operating in the BOC, it has not improved the situation. “Our group is very much confident considering the training and expertise of former director Villarin in the field of intelligence, investigation, and prosecution,” the group said in a statement. — Wenna A. Berondo/LPM