MANILA, Philippines - Another high-ranking official of the Bureau of Customs (BOC) has tendered his resignation after Customs Commissioner Ruffy Biazon offered to quit from his post in reaction to President Benigno Aquino III's lashing at the agency during his State of the Nation Address on Monday.
Speaking to ANC's Headstart on Wednesday, Biazon confirmed that Deputy Customs Commissioner Danilo Lim has submitted his letter of resignation to the Office of Executive Secretary Paquito Ochoa, Jr.
Biazon said the President may reject Lim's resignation or accept it and appoint a replacement
"It's up to the prerogative of the President," said Biazon.
Asked if he wants to work with Lim, Biazon said: "He is an officer and a gentleman. I'm okay to work with him. His outputs have been helpful to the bureau."
"Of course, I could work with everyone but Danny Lim has already proven that he's okay with me," the BOC chief added.
In an interview over DZMM radio, Lim said he tendered his resignation after having difficulties in his work due to "powerful forces" in the bureau.
"Mahirap ang trabaho sa BOC. Nung bago ako pumasok diyan, napakaganda ng health ko. Ngayon, nag-uumpisa na kong mag-take ng maintenance na gamot para sa high blood. Hindi biro ang trabaho diyan."
"Hindi naman sa hindi natin kaya, pero mahirap talaga magtrabaho lalo na kung hindi mo kontrolado ang sitwasyon. Sa bureau, talagang napakaraming mga pwersa; [mga] powerful forces na sumasawsaw diyan na nakikialam."
He said he has asked Ochoa several times to just give him another position or work outside the BOC.
Prior to Lim's resignation, Biazon offered to quit his post after the President rebuked his agency for the alleged corruption and inefficiency among its personnel.
Aquino rejected Biazon's resignation.
In his State of the Nation Address, Aquino said BOC personnel "are trying to outdo each other’s incompetence."
"Instead of collecting the proper taxes and preventing contraband from entering the country, they are heedlessly permitting the smuggling of goods, and even drugs, arms, and other items of a similar nature into our territory," Aquino said in his speech.
He said that according to the Department of Finance, more than P200 billion in revenue slips through Philippine borders without going into public coffers.
"Saan po kayo kumukuha ng kapal ng mukha ang mga kawani sa ahensyang ito?" Aquino asked in his speech.
In a televised press conference on Tuesday, Biazon said he immediately offered to resign after feeling shame due to Aquino's remarks.
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