ROSALES—“What is needed as a Customs leader is someone with an iron hand.”

This was voiced by Engr. Rosendo So, chairman of Abono party-list, as he lauded President Benigno Aquino III for his strong criticism of the Bureau of Customs (BoC) during his State of the Nation Address last Monday but did not agree with the decision to retain Customs Commissioner Ruffy Biazon.

“We have been telling him (the President) about it, that smuggling is worse now compared to the administration of then President Gloria Arroyo,” said So, who is also a director of the Swine Development Council which has been fighting the rampant smuggling of meat from other countries to the detriment of the local industry.

So said while he is glad that the President has finally recognized the longstanding problem in the BoC, he believes that addressing it would require a major revamp in the agency.

“The Customs leader should show to his followers that he means business in order for everybody down to the lowest rank to tow the line,” So said, noting that Biazon did not pursue his planned revamp for key positions in the agency when he assumed his post.

He said it was disappointing to see that after Biazon reported that there are congressmen and senators who are protectors of smugglers, he did not name names.

Biazon, who was handpicked by the President, should resign irrevocably if he wants to save face for Aquino, added So.

The Abono leader also reiterated that the problem now involves ‘technical smuggling’.

“They have papers but resort to misdeclaration. I hope this will truly be addressed to make the local industry survive,” he said.

So noted that the President’s message was strong on the $200 million dollars a year lost to smuggling.

“Not only is the government in great disadvantage but local businessmen, too,” he said. —Eva Visperas

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