Palace addresses queries about newly-appointed BOC Commissioner, Justice Secretary’s intention to apply for Ombudsman post

Photo screengrab from RTVM/YT

By Dean Aubrey Caratiquet

On the heels of President Ferdinand R. Marcos Jr.’s appointment of Office of Civil Defense (OCD) Undersecretary Ariel Nepomuceno as the new Bureau of Customs (BOC) commissioner on Monday, June 30, the Palace was quick to quell speculations regarding the performance of former Customs Chief Bienvenido Rubio.

When quizzed by the media at the Malacañang press briefing this Tuesday, July 1, Presidential Communications Office (PCO) Undersecretary and Palace Press Officer Claire Castro made clear that Nepomuceno’s appointment as new BOC chief was simply part of President Marcos Jr.’s directive of quashing illegal smuggling and ensuring transparency in collecting revenues.

Castro clarified, “Hindi lamang po isa ang pinalitan, anim po kasama po ang Commissioner sa napalitan—may mga collectors, may deputy commissioners, and directors—anim po lahat sila sa Bureau of Customs.”

Moreover, the Palace press briefer cited the Chief Executive’s marching order to BOC commissioner Nepomuceno, which is to strengthen the country’s border protection mechanisms, improve the efficiency of revenue collection, and intensify the campaign against the illegal smuggling of various products into the nation’s ports.

On Justice Sec. Remulla’s Ombudsman application

Castro also responded to a media query on Department of Justice (DOJ) Secretary Crispin Remulla’s intention to apply for the Ombudsman post, as he stated in an earlier interview that he already relayed such to the President.

She said, “Wala pa pong nababanggit ang Pangulo, kasi wala pa rin [po siyang] shortlist na natatanggap. So, hintayin na lang po natin kung ano po ang magiging pasya sa tamang panahon.”

The Palace press briefer also deferred Remulla’s intention to transfer to the Ombudsman and vacate his post, urging the media to wait for further updates on the matter. She clarified that as of press time, Remulla still remains in his post as DOJ Secretary.

Moreover, she emphasized that the Judicial Bar Council (JBC) has the final say on whether Remulla’s application for Ombudsman would go through.

av

Popular

PBBM underscores public cooperation as key to better disaster response

By Dean Aubrey Caratiquet President Ferdinand R. Marcos Jr. reiterated his call on the citizenry to remain on constant alert and exercise vigilant measures at...

PBBM lauds eGov app’s impact on Filipinos, hints at upcoming features

President Ferdinand R. Marcos Jr. recognized the indispensable role of the eGov app in fast-tracking and streamlining the digitalization of government transactions and services,...

What’s next for the Marcos admin? Key agencies tackle food security, economic dev’t post-SONA 2025

https://www.youtube.com/live/hXRnysWZ6SM?si=GGc-0MxxrP1SXsvE By Brian Campued President Ferdinand R. Marcos Jr. has reported the situation of the country—along with his administration’s progress, gains, and challenges in the past...

PBBM lauds improvements in PH labor market

By Dean Aubrey Caratiquet President Ferdinand R. Marcos Jr. praised the wide-ranging achievements made by his administration on bolstering the country’s domestic labor market over...