BOC chief won’t confirm, deny resignation reports

Customs Commissioner Antonio Bernardo refused yesterday to confirm or deny reports that he had resigned from his post.

"I have no comment for now," Bernardo, who was on an inspection trip to the Customs port in Surigao, said in a text message in response to queries about his alleged resignation.

Bernardo earlier assured President Arroyo that the report on his resignation was not true. It has, however, become the main topic and fodder for speculation among employees of the Bureau of Customs (BOC).

Bernardo said the report was counter-productive as it has affected the smooth operations of the bureau.

"Let’s wait for an official announcement from Malacañang. Until then, the reports are merely speculative," he added.

Late last year, Bernardo and his three deputy commissioners had tendered their courtesy resignations in protest of the conduct of lifestyle checks on BOC personnel. The resignations were rejected by the Palace.

Bernardo is credited for the record-breaking tax collections of the bureau due to the measures he instituted to plug the loopholes of the system and to discourage tax cheats.

Since January this year, the bureau has continued to surpass its monthly assigned tax collection target, registering a surplus of P3-P4 billion.

Sources said that if Bernardo will be replaced as Customs commissioner, he would be given a promotional assignment, possibly a position with a Cabinet level rank, because of his exemplary performance at the BOC.