BUREAU of Customs (BOC) Assistant Commissioner and concurrent spokesman Philip Vincent Maronilla confirmed Wednesday the resignation of Deputy Commissioner for Internal Administration Michael Cristobal Fermin.
“Yes, he resigned for personal and security reasons,” Maronilla told The Manila Times.
Asked about allegations circulating within the bureau that Fermin was forced to step down because of a “serious” complaint brought by a multinational firm, Maronilla said there was no such complaint that he was aware of.
“We don’t know of any complaint against him,” he added, reiterating that Fermin’s reason was personal.
Fermin could not be reached for comment.
Fermin was one of two BOC directors promoted to deputy commissioners by Malacañang in an order signed by the president on April 10, 2025.
As deputy commissioner for the Internal Administration Group, Fermin was tasked, among others, to represent the commissioner in meetings and conferences, sign memorandum circulars, and review official communications and documents relevant to internal administration.
Earlier, Marlon Fritz Broto, also a presidential appointee, was forced to tender his “irrevocable resignation” as district collector of the Port of Subic after he was placed on floating status while being investigated for alleged irregularities.
More recently, Nepomuceno sacked Intelligence Officer III Paul Oliver Pacunayen, chief of the Customs Intelligence and Investigation Service at the Port of Manila, following allegations of irregularity.
