The new Commissioner of the Bureau of Customs may be named as early as Friday, the exiting Customs chief Ruffy Biazon said Wednesday. His recently-appointed deputy, Jessie Dellosa, may be on the short list of possible appointees, GMA News’ 24 Oras newscast reported.
Dellosa, is a former chief of staff the Armed Forces of the Philippines, and was appointed last September as the Customs Deputy Commissioner for Intelligence, replacing Danilo Lim, another retired military officer.
Biazon said Finance Secretary Cesar Purisima revealed during their most recent meeting that President Benigno Aquino III has received a list containing the names of individuals eyed to replace him as the chief of the Bureau of Customs (BOC).
“Sa discussion namin (ni Purisima), nakapagbigay na ng mga pangalan sa Presidente para siya na ang mamili kung sino ang magiging either OIC (Officer in Charge) or permanent successor ko,” he said.
Biazon announced his irrevocable resignation from the BOC Monday after having been named by the Department of Justice as a respondent together with 33 others in a malversation case connected to the P10 billion pork barrel scam.
Biazon said he aims to settle by Friday all immediate concerns at the BOC that needed to be addressed since his request to stay at his post until the end of December has been turned down by Malacanang.
He said he had requested the President for an extension of his term to facilitate a smooth period of transition at the bureau.
“Hinahabol na within this week [na matapos ang trabaho]. Sinabi ko naman kay Secretary Purisima na kung hindi man ma-finalize ‘yon this week, I can still make myself available next week,” he said.
Although the outgoing Customs chief clarified that he “will not dare recommend” anyone as his successor, he said Dellosa is qualified to head the BOC because of his long track record of service in the armed forces.
“There is no question that general Dellosa is qualified. As I said before noong pagpasok niya as Dep Com (Deupty Commissioner), [he has a] long service record in the AFP, he became AFP Chief of Staff. Paano mo pa maku-kwestiyon ‘yon?” Biazon said.
“If I will be given the opportunity, why not? Pero I have no idea as of this moment,” Dellosa said. — XA/ELR, GMA News
