The Philippine Online Chronicles

Outgoing Bureau of Customs (BoC) Commissioner Angelito Alvarez said that disinformation may have prompted President Benigno Aquino III to remove him in his post in the agency.

The president earlier said he was “no longer happy” with the BoC's performance and would be announcing a replacement BOC chief.

“Kung matatandaan 'yung mga malalaking kaso, maaaring nagdamdam siya sa Bigcas case. But this happened before I assumed the position,” Alvarez said in a Punto por Punto interview.

Early this year, there were also reports that Aquino was dissatisfied with the agency's performance in the case of the 20 luxury cars which supposedly entered the country undetected. The alleged car smuggler Lynard Allan Bigcas previously said that the vehicles were shipped into the country in “chopped-up” pieces inside balikbayan boxes.

Alvarez also pointed out “disinformation” over his alleged failure to close down 168 mall in Divisoria and the revenues lost due to the missing 2,000 container vans.

“[Cagayan Rep. Jack Enrile] was probably right in saying that the [customs chief] should have the full trust and confidence of the president... I did not pursue that... [in the past] the customs chief was the personal choice of the president,” Alvarez said.

“I serve in the pleasure of the president. I-turn over ko 'yung post in a professional manner. In fact, i-turn over ko 'yung anomalies na na-discover namin,” Alvarez added.

Meanwhile, former Muntinlupa representative Ruffy Biazon is still silent about his rumored appointment as the new BoC chief.

The Inquirer quoted a palace source as saying that the Liberal Party senatorial bet has been the president's choice for the position.

However, Biazon said in a text message, “If it's about the customs issue, I'm sorry I would have to decline (comment). I'm reserving comments until there's an official Malacañang announcement.”

In a taped interview to Radio Mindanao Network on Monday, the president confirmed the removal of Alvarez in office.

"Pinangako ko kasi sa pagpapalit d'yan na bibigyan ko ng konting espasyo ang ating nakausap at inaasahang ... aayusin iyang Customs. 'Di ko muna siya tutukuyin dahil ito na raw ang mga huling araw ng katahimikan ng buhay niya," the president noted.