Six high-ranking Customs officials replaced in shake-up - Palace

Metro Manila, Philippines - President Ferdinand Marcos Jr. has replaced Customs Commissioner Bienvenido Rubio and five other high-ranking officials in a bid to strengthen the agency’s performance and crack down on smuggling, Malacañang on Tuesday, July 1.

New Customs Commissioner Ariel F. Nepomuceno, the former administrator of the Office of Civil Defense (OCD), took his oath of office on Monday.

Communications Undersecretary Claire Castro said the leadership change at the Bureau of Customs (BoC) is part of broader efforts to improve public service and enhance transparency in revenue collection.

“Not only one was replaced - six were replaced, including the commissioner. There are collectors, deputy commissioners, and directors - all six of them in the Bureau of Customs,” said Castro.

Castro did not provide specific reasons for Rubio’s removal and only noted that President Marcos is focused on ensuring agency leaders deliver better service.

“The president wants all heads of agencies to be faithful to the country, fight smuggling, and be transparent in revenue collection,” she said.

When asked whether Rubio’s replacement reflected dissatisfaction with his performance, Castro said, “Whatever reason the President had, it is likely in pursuit of better service to the public.”

She also noted that the Palace has not yet named Nepomuceno’s successor at the OCD. However, she shared that the president’s marching orders for the new Customs chief include bolstering border security and leading a more aggressive campaign against smuggling.

“This is part of a broader performance review. Everybody is on notice; everybody is on probation,” Castro added. “We have to work better for the country and for our fellowmen, the Filipino people.”

The BOC overhaul came amid intensified efforts by the administration to clean up revenue-generating agencies and assert tighter control over trade and customs enforcement.