Malacañang, signaling that it was retaining Bureau of Customs (BOC) Commissioner John Philip Sevilla, on Wednesday shot down talks of a looming BOC leadership shakeup amid wranglings for the coveted post.
At a Palace briefing, Secretary Edwin Lacierda, likewise, debunked speculations that President Aquino had already launched a search committee to vet nominees for new BOC chief following reports that Sevilla had already filed his resignation.
“Wala kaming balita na nag-submit siya ng resignation…na si Commissioner Sevilla nag-submit ng resignation letter. So hintayin na lang natin,” Lacierda told reporters. “Kami nga nabibigla sa mga ganoong tanong. In fact, I was asked about that yesterday [Tuesday].”
President Aquino’s Spokesman added that Sevilla had also issued a separate statement to clarify that he had not resigned as customs chief.
Asked if this meant the Palace is still satisfied with the performance of the BOC, cited reforms set in motion when Sevilla took over as head of the allegedly graft-ridden revenue collection agency.
“Maraming reforms na ginagawa si Commissioner Sunny Sevilla so… Maraming reforms na ginawa, institutional reforms; like we removed and replaced a number of commissioners. We also removed a number of collectors. So [may] mga reforms na ginagawa,” the Palace official added.
Lacierda said he saw no reason reports are being circulated that Sevilla would be replaced.
“Nag-improve ang collection sa Customs, so wala kaming nakikitang katuwiran kung bakit nagkaroon ng ganitong balitang magbibitiw si Commissioner Sunny Sevilla,” he said.
On reports pinning the blame for the Manila port congestion on the BOC, Lacierda noted that Cabinet Secretary Rene D. Almendras reported just the other day cargos are already being moved out of the port area on schedule.
“Gumagalaw na ’yon. Naiibsan na ang port congestion. So, again, we have not—at least, I—have not received any information officially and we have not heard of any planned resignation by Commissioner Sunny Sevilla,” Lacierda said.