Customs exec urges Noy to study impending revamp

CAGAYAN DE ORO CITY, Philippines – An official of the Bureau of Customs has called on President Aquino to look into the impending revamp of BOC personnel.

Marvin Mison, deputy collector for northern Mindanao, said Commissioner Ruffy Biazon’s order for BOC personnel to return to their mother units was “not studied well.”

He said Biazon “was probably ill-advised.”

“I cannot question the wisdom of the President…But P-Noy should look into this,” he added.

Mison said BOC personnel could not be transferred if there are no replacements yet, citing the case of the port at Tagoloan, Misamis Oriental, where several key positions would be left vacant if the current personnel return to their respective mother units.

BOC personnel in Region 10 joined the nationwide silent protest this week against the revamp order. They wore black to dramatize their dissatisfaction and sadness.

Mison also cited the case of BOC-10 district head Lourdes Mangaoang, who would return to the Cebu port next week as deputy collector if the revamp pushes through.

“She is not deserving to be demoted,” he said, citing the good performance of BOC-Region 10 in exceeding their collection target.

CIIS division chief transferred

Meanwhile, Customs officer Richard Rebong has been removed as Customs Intelligence and Investigation Service (CIIS) Intelligence Division chief.

Rebong, whose promotion as intelligence officer 5 was questioned in a complaint filed before the Civil Service Commission (CSC), was relegated to the office of CIIS director Fernandino Tuason.

Senior intelligence officer Eric Albano questioned Rebong’s promotion as intelligence officer 5, saying his salary grade increased from eight to 24.

The CSC also reportedly ruled that Rebong lacked the required experience to head the CIIS and his appointment violated the rules on selection and promotion of government executives.

A person should have a master’s degree, four-year experience in supervisory positions and second level career service eligibility to qualify as CIIS chief, according to the CSC.

However, Rebong’s transfer is on hold because he filed a motion for reconsideration of the CSC decision. –  With Evelyn Macairan