Customs: No more cronies

No more cronies.

With this vow, new Customs Commissioner Titus Villanueva is crossing his fingers that his agency will finally slow down, if not stamp out, the smuggling that ran rampant during the Estrada administration.

In a chance interview at the Ninoy Aquino International Airport (NAIA), Villanueva vowed to follow the Arroyo administration’s policy of leadership by example.

"Favored groups and individuals are a thing of the past," Villanueva said, admitting that cronyism was the prime reason why smuggling could not be curbed during the previous watch.

"This was the reason why big-time smuggling could not be stopped at the Bureau of Customs (BOC) particularly in the recent past – because those involved had high connections at Malacañang," he said.

Villanueva said the "reign" of favored groups and individuals over the release of shipments caused honest businessmen and Customs officials to throw up their hands in surrender.

But he vowed to change all this and give all shippers equal treatment in a level playing field.

Villanueva said the BOC will now speedily release the shipments of raw materials to importers so long as these are legitimate and above board.

"The faster the release of cargoes, the less cost to the importers and at the same time, lesser opportunities for graft, too," he said.

Villanueva pointed out that some small companies have closed shop because their importations of badly needed raw materials were withheld for months at the waterfront for imagined reasons.

At ceremonial turnover rites at the Manila Customs House, Villanueva bared a six-point program for the BOC to be able to live up to the heightened expectations.

The 65-year-old career Customs official exhorted BOC employees and officials to live simple lives and discouraged ostentatious display of wealth.

"Ostentatious display of wealth should be avoided because a luxurious way of living breeds graft and corruption," said Villanueva who rose from clerk to commissioner in a career spanning 39 years.

"Let us bring back the good old family values handed down to us as well as integrity and morality and use this to fight graft and corruption in government," he added.

He vowed to implement transparency in governance and a level playing field for all the players.

"We promise no special treatment nor special consideration to anyone. Discrimination or any display of favoritism can dampen the enthusiasm of the industry players. I would like to believe that domestic industries really want protection. They do welcome competition; one, however, that is most fair," he said.

But the focus of his program will be the problem that has overcome almost every one of his predecessors.

"We will try to improve and strengthen all mechanisms already in place to combat smuggling of any form. If there is a need for more lawyers and agents, this we will do including closer coordination with allied agencies in government," he said.

The BOC oldtimer also recognized that his agency’s gains in computerization will be enhanced in order to maintain the bureau’s reputation as being among the most advanced in the Asia-Pacific region.

Villanueva also thanked his predecessor Renato Ampil for his legacy of professionalism and praised him "for his management style which was generally consultative."

Finally, the new Customs chief challenged the employees and officials of the BOC to meet the high expectations of their countrymen.

"Our Customs men want to be challenged," he said. "All they need is a slight tap on the shoulder."