Senators question Lapeña’s ‘promotion’ to TESDA
MANILA, Philippines — Senators on Friday questioned the transfer of embattled Customs commissioner Isidro Lapeña to the Technical Education and Skills Development.
President Rodrigo Duterte on Thursday announced the reassignment of Lapeña, who earlier said he would not resign despite the issues surrounding the bureau, particularly the alleged smuggling of P11 billion worth of methamphetamine hydrocholoride (shabu) into the country.
Lapeña will be replaced at the BOC by former Armed Forces chief and current Marina administration Leonardo Rey Guerrero.
Sen. Grace Poe said Lapeña, a former police officer, may not have the needed expertise to head TESDA.
“I am surprised. The reshuffle seemed sudden. What is his capability to lead TESDA? He may have the capacity; we just don’t know because it’s sudden. It’s just unexpected,” she said.
Sen. Antonio Trillanes IV also questioned the chief executive’s motive in transferring Lapeña
“The only possible explanation is Duterte is doing this to reward Comm. Lapeña’s loyalty and guarantee his silence and continued cooperation, much like what he did to [Nicanor] Faeldon,” Trillanes said.
Prior to his stint as the deputy administrator of the Office of Civil Defense, Faeldon was the Customs head tagged in the P6.4 billion shabu shipment that slipped past Customs.
“Both Customs commissioners surely know the true masterminds behind those huge shabu shipments,” Trillanes said.
The House of Representatives’ committee on dangerous drugs and the Senate blue ribbon committee are holding separate inquiries into the alleged smuggling of drugs into the Philippines.
Sen. Panfilo Lacson, for his part, said Lapeña’s transfer “may well be a promotion in rank and position, but definitely a demotion in trust and confidence.”
He also said that Guerrero will have big boots to fill as he replaces Lapeña.
“I hope retired Gen. Guerrero can fill in the big boots left by Lapeña but not suffer the same fate as he did,” Lacson said.
The president’s practice of reappointing and reshuffling officials has been criticized in the past, with opposition lawmakers like Sen. Paolo Benigno Aquino saying it sends mixed signals on his fight against corruption.
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