7 generals removed from BOC posts

MANILA, Philippines – Seven retired generals serving as port collectors in the Bureau of Customs (BOC) were removed from their posts before the election-related ban on the transfer of government officials and employees took effect on Sunday.

BOC Commissioner Alberto Lina’s spokesman Belle Maestro said the relief order was issued at 8 p.m. on Friday and took effect immediately.

Nicky Earl Hortillas replaced Port of Manila collector Mario Mendoza; Reynaldo Galeno was assigned to the Port of Batangas replacing Ernesto Benitez; Cecilio Vicente Gallo to Clark International Airport, replacing Esteban Castro.

Antonio Pascual is the new Manila International Container Port collector, replacing Elmir Dela Cruz.

Port of San Fernando district collector Bonifacio de Castro was replaced by Romeo Allan Rosales. Benhur Arabani was designated to the post of Port of Zamboanga district collector Jerry Loresco.

Rico Rey Francis Holganza assumed the post of Port of Cebu district collector Arnulfo Marcos.

Ricardo Butalid, collector of the Port of Davao, stays in his post, according to Maestro.

Maestro said the Department of Finance (DOF), which has supervision of the BOC, decided to replace the generals since “Congress did not approve the budget for ORAM.”

ORAM stands for the Office of Revenue Agency Modernization under the DOF, where the former military officials and employees belonged before they were assigned to the BOC in 2013.

“There is no additional supplemental budget so they have no salary. In effect, their appointments are null and void,” said Maestro.

The BOC is still looking for a replacement for retired Philippine Coast Guard Commodore Rolando Ricafrente, district collector of the Port of Limay.

BOC Intelligence Group Deputy Commissioner Jessie Dellosa said he has yet to receive a copy of the Customs Personnel Order covering the relief of the retired military officials.

Maestro said the generals were perceived by some members of Congress to have “failed in meeting their revenue collection targets.”