New sheriffs in town

There’s a new sheriff in town. Well, a new Customs Commissioner, and Deputy anyway. Former Muntinlupa Congressman Ruffy Biazon is the new Bureau of Customs (BoC) Commissioner, while retired Gen. Danilo Lim is his deputy. Two men with strong military connections. Biazon is the son of former Senator and AFP Chief of Staff Rodolfo Biazon, while Lim is the very controversial general and leader of the Philippine Scout Rangers who participated in the bloody 1898 coup against then President Corazon Aquino. It was actually uber-ironic that PNoy was the one who swore in Lim into his new job in government! Perhaps he has forgiven him since he also led a revolt against Gloria Arroyo in 2006. C’est la vie.

 Both men have vowed to change the image and perception of the BoC. An agency known to be fraught with corrupt personnel – from the top down the line – no matter under whose administration it serves. A very big statement, for a very difficult task. Angelito Alvarez, the man Biazon replaces, apparently could not get anything done in a little over a year in office. Rumored to be one of President Aquino’s cabinet members who had nothing to report but problems, the disappearance of a substantial number of container vans under his watch did not help to solidify his position in the cabinet. In the death throes of his leadership, he files a number of cases against known smugglers. Too late to save him, perhaps.

 Biazon and Lim face a tremendous challenge. The BoC has been known to devour the principles of even the most straightforward individual. If the Palace is where the buck stops, the BoC is where it all begins. Filled with employees who are likened to crocodiles even bigger than Lolong of Agusan del Sur, Biazon and Lim might as well carry weapons if they plan to clean up the bureau! It would be interesting to see how they fare in around six months or so. Aside form internal adversaries, there are the smuggling syndicates to deal with. This is where it gets really dangerous, as they are known to resort to anything to keep their profits fat and alive! I guess now, they will have to deal with military men.

 President Aquino has urged the public to pay the correct taxes, as he also promised to stomp out corruption in all its forms. But for the ordinary Juan, taxes have always been known to go into the pockets of government officials, and their families and friends. Hence the canned rationale of not wanting to pay taxes at all. If the citizenry is to be convinced that paying taxes do go back to serving the public, then it starts by completely overhauling the bureaucracy at the Bureau of Customs, along with its image.

So congratulations to Customs Commissioner Ruffy Biazon and Deputy Commissioner Danilo Lim! Although you do have your work cut out for you. Come to work in your BDUs, flak jacket optional but suggested.