In a major move to promote good governance and rebuild public trust, Bureau of Customs (BOC) Commissioner Ariel F. Nepomuceno has issued a landmark directive prohibiting all BOC officials and personnel from holding any direct or indirect interest in Customs Brokerage operations.
The sweeping reform, issued on July 10, aligns with President Ferdinand R. Marcos Jr.’s call for transparency and ethical public service. The policy aims to eliminate conflicts of interest and strengthen the Bureau’s commitment to integrity.
“This is more than a policy—it is a public declaration that the Bureau of Customs will no longer tolerate practices that breed corruption, favoritism, or undue influence,” Commissioner Nepomuceno stated. “We are placing public interest above personal gain.”
Key Provisions of the Policy:
- All BOC personnel are banned from engaging in any Customs Brokerage business—as owners, incorporators, partners, consultants, or in any capacity that may compromise public duty.
- Personnel must submit a sworn affidavit within 10 days disclosing any relatives (up to the fourth degree of consanguinity or affinity) involved in Customs Brokerage businesses.
- Disclosures are required even if the person is no longer active in the business or has divested their interest in the last five years.
- Non-compliance will be subject to appropriate administrative sanctions.
The directive draws legal basis from the 1987 Constitution, Republic Act No. 6713 (Code of Conduct and Ethical Standards for Public Officials and Employees), and existing BOC orders. It is also anchored on Section 9 of the BOC Integrity Action Plan, which explicitly prohibits Customs personnel from engaging in business dealings that may present ethical concerns.
The new policy underscores the agency’s ongoing efforts to instill professionalism and protect the integrity of public service, particularly in areas vulnerable to undue influence.
Commissioner Nepomuceno urged all BOC personnel to strictly comply with the directive, adding, “This reform is a defining moment in our journey toward a more transparent and accountable Bureau.”
