Usec. Villar named new RP anti-smuggling czar
FORMER STO. Tomas Mayor Antonio Villar Jr. has been appointed by President Gloria Macapagal-Arroyo as the country’s new anti-smuggling czar.
Villar, currently undersecretary for Local Governance, was named to head the newly-formed Presidential Anti-Smuggling Group (PASG) under the Office of the President.
His appointment as Presidential Assistant For Anti-Smuggling with the rank of undersecretary took effect May 21, 2007.
Villar, one-time assistant secretary for Air Sector and Management Information Service at the Department of Transportation and Communications in late 2004, thanked the President for the trust and confidence she gave him to spearhead the PASG.
“I know this is a tough job and I am determined to do my best in order not to fail the President’s expectations,” Villar said.
Before becoming mayor in 1972, Villar worked as an agent of the Secret Service Division of the Bureau of Customs in Manila.
He said in his new job, he hopes to bring in more revenues to the government.
Villar is also the founding chairman/president of Biskeg na Pangasinan, a powerful political bloc whose members are mostly mayors, vice mayors, board members and councilors from different political groups in the province.
The PASG was created under Executive Order No. 624 issued also on May 21, 2007, is tasked to apprehend, seize, investigate and prosecute acts involving smuggling, unlawful importation and other similar violations, and providing measures to curtail smuggling and expedite seizure proceedings.
The E.O. states that the prevention of smuggling and other related fraudulent practices against existing laws is one of the urgent concerns of the administration.
The PASG shall be composed of elements from the Philippine National Police, Philippine Coast Guard, National Food Authority, Philippine Maritime Authority, Philippine Ports Authority, Philippine Navy, Bureau of Food and Drugs and Bureau of Customs (BOC), as well as from other government agencies that may be needed by the PASG in the performance of its functions.
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