Biazon no longer running for senator

MANILA, Philippines - Customs Commissioner Ruffy Biazon yesterday declared he will no longer run for senator in next year’s elections.

“I would like to announce that I will be staying with the Bureau of Customs. After much thought and consideration, prayer, I decided to forgo my bid for the Senate,” Biazon told a press conference.

“I consulted the President about this decision and I value his input. The decision was made to stay in the BOC. We talked last Thursday. We had a discussion in his office,” he said.

Biazon added they had no discussion with the President about his role in the midterm polls.

Biazon said President Aquino had told him that he would be “very glad” if he would remain in his post as Customs chief.

“I did aspire for the Senate. I have said more than once that I am happier as a legislator,” Biazon said.

Malacañang confirmed Biazon would stay on as Customs chief.

“We’re sorry, but there is no vacancy at the Bureau of Customs,” deputy presidential spokesperson Abigail Valte said in reply to questions on whether Davao City Vice Mayor Rodrigo Duterte would be taking over Biazon’s post.

Biazon, a member of President Aquino’s Liberal Party and a former Muntinlupa City congressman, has preferred to stay on because “a lot of work still needs to be done,” according to Valte.

Biazon and Aquino, who are close friends, have already discussed the matter, and the President has given his friend a free hand to continue reforms he initiated in the agency tasked to run after smugglers.

Biazon had always preferred to stay at BOC. Sources say his only problem was if Aquino becomes insistent on him joining the administration slate, to which he may have a hard time saying no. – Delon Porcalla, Jess Diaz, Marvin Sy