Metro Manila (CNN Philippines, February 13) — The appointment of Bienvenido Rubio as head of the Bureau of Customs (BOC) despite being tagged as a bribe taker by a former senator is something incumbent senators may look into, Majority Leader Joel Villanueva said on Monday.
While he is not privy to updates on the allegations against Rubio, Villanueva said the Senate Blue Ribbon Committee can start a probe motu propio as part of the chamber’s oversight function.
“Alam natin pag sinabing BOC lahat tumataas yung kilay and unfortunately laging merong stigma na doon sa bureau na yun, kaya kailangan talaga ang inaappoint talaga diyan mataas yung integrity and competence,” said Villanueva.
[Translation: We know that eyebrows are raised whenever the BOC is mentioned, and unfortunately there is a stigma with the bureau. That’s why anyone who is appointed there should have a high level of integrity and competence.]
In a 2017 privilege speech, then Senator Panfilo “Ping” Lacson named Rubio as among the collectors or bagmen in the massive corruption at the Bureau of Customs.
Rubio assumed his post on Monday, the BOC said in a statement. He takes over from Yogi Filemon Ruiz who assured a \”seamless transition\” to the new bureau chief.
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