MANILA, Philippines — As President Ferdinand Marcos Jr. continues to crack the whip against misfits in the bureaucracy, one of his appointees at the Bureau of Customs (BOC) resigned from his post for "personal and security reasons."
Assistant Commissioner and concurrent spokesman Philip Vincent Maronilla on Wednesday confirmed the resignation of Deputy Commissioner for Internal Administration (IAG) Michael Cristobal Fermin.
Asked about allegations circulating in the bureau that Fermin was forced to step down because of a "serious' complaint brought up by a multinational firm, Maronilla said that he was not aware of this.
"We don't know of any complaint against him," added Maronilla, reiterating that Fermin's reason was personal.
Fermin could not be reached for comment.
Fermin was one of two BOC directors promoted by Malacanang to deputy commissioners in an order signed by the President on April 10, 2025.
Fermin as deputy commissioner then for the internal administration group is tasked, among others, to represent the Commissioner in meetings and conferences, signs memorandum circulars, and reviews official communications and documents relevant to internal administration.
Lawyer 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.
Just recently, Nepomuceno also sacked Intelligence Officer III Paul Oliver N. Pacunayen, chief, Customs Intelligence and Investigation Service (CIIS), Port of Manila (PoM), following allegations of irregularity.
Pacunayen was among those mentioned in a letter sent to President Ferdinand Marcos Jr. by concerned Customs officials, employees and stakeholders, alleging the resurgence of massive smuggling activities in ports across the country that resulted in significant shortfalls in revenue collections.
Also mentioned in the letter was CIIS Director Thomas Narcise, also a presidential appointee.
Nepomuceno has ordered an internal investigation on the reported escalation of smuggling activities, allegedly carried out with the involvement of some customs officials.
Nepomuceno said Deputy Commissioner for Intelligence Romy Rosales has been tasked to lead the investigation.