Former Customs chief to launch biography

MANILA, Philippines - The launching of the biography of former Customs Commissioner Titus Villanueva, who made history as the first from the rank and file to become the commissioner of the Bureau of Customs, will highlight the golden wedding anniversary of couple Titus and Dr. Teresita Claridad Villanueva today. Officiating in the wedding is Fr. Jerry Orbos, who will celebrate a Mass in their honor.

Titled From the Ranks, A Biography of Titus B. Villanueva: Bureau of Customs Centennial Commissioner, it is written by former desk editor Chando Morallos of the Manila Bulletin, who had earlier written a book about the history of the Bureau of Customs published for the bureau’s centennial celebration in 2002.

The book covers the life of Villanueva starting from his childhood in San Jacinto, Masbate, his education at the University of the Philippines where he obtained a law degree through working at  Customs from clerk aide to bureau  chief.

His appointment by then Pres. Gloria Macapagal-Arroyo was considered phenomenal as it broke a 100-year-old tradition that only outsiders were appointed to the position by the President of the Philippines.

Villanueva also holds the distinction of being the only officer who, in his 41 long years of service, had never been charged, whether criminal or administrative, nor had ever been suspended, grounded or put on a floating status in the duration of his service with the Bureau.

The book also recounts the controversial case where Villanueva earned the ire of Congress when he endorsed the Motor Vehicle Legalization Program that generated about half a billion pesos in duties and taxes.

Claiming that only Congress had the power to legislate revenue laws, it threatened a congressional hearing but in the end abandoned the idea when it realized the merit of the Villanueva-initiated revenue generated project.