GMA reorganizes Customs, but keeps Morales

MANILA, Philippines – President Arroyo recently ordered a reorganization of key offices of the Bureau of Customs (BOC) to make the agency more effective in government’s intensified anti-smuggling campaign, amidst the ongoing investigation of several bureau officials for alleged illegal activities.

Mrs. Arroyo signed Executive Order No. 724 last May 16, but spared Customs Commissioner Napoleon Morales from the reorganization.

Various charges were earlier filed against several BOC officials for alleged involvement in smuggling of hundreds of millions worth of items, including flour and oil.

The reorganization, which will be implemented 15 days following the publication of the EO in a newspaper of general circulation, streamlines the various prosecution functions of the agency under one office.

She also directed Morales’ office to take a direct hand in reviewing and processing claims for rewards of informants.

Mrs. Arroyo, who has been personally monitoring the BOC’s anti-smuggling campaign, ordered the transfer of the prosecution functions of four of its offices to the Prosecution and Litigation Division, Legal Service (PLD-LS).

These are the Investigation and Prosecution Division (IPD) and the Internal Inquiry and Prosecution Division (IIPD) of the Customs Intelligence and Investigation Service (CIIS); certain offices or units under the Office of the Deputy Commissioner for Intelligence and Enforcement Group, and the Director of Enforcement and Security Services (ESS).

She pointed out that the present setup in the Bureau of Customs – where various offices, units, divisions, as well as ad hoc bodies in the bureau exercise prosecution functions – diminishes the effectiveness of the anti-smuggling drive of the government. – Paolo Romero