LAPU-LAPU CITY, Cebu – President Rodrigo Duterte has sworn in Rey Leonardo “Jagger” Guerrero as the new chief of the Bureau of Customs (BOC) and Isidro “Sid” Lapeña as Director-General of Technical Education and Skills Development Authority (TESDA).
President Duterte administered the oath of office to Lapeña at Philippine Air Force Brigadier General Benito N. Ebuen Air Base here on Tuesday, October 30.
Guerrero also took his oath before the President in a simple ceremony in Davao City.
Lapeña was replaced by Guerrero as the new Customs commissioner six months after the latter was appointed to Maritime Industry Authority (MARINA). President Duterte named Guerrero as MARINA administrator last April after retiring from the Armed Forces of the Philippines.
As a marching order to Guerrero, President Duterte instructed him to “double the zealousness” in performing his mandate of ridding the agency of corruption.
“Kung sa Army ka pa, takot talaga sa’yo ang mga tao kasi istrikto ka daw. Double the zealousness and maybe you’d have a better chance of retiring unscathed,” the President said.
The Chief Executive also expressed optimism that Guerrero would be able to do his job well, noting that he was a “good and honest” man.
He noted that taking the role as Customs chief was a “challenge” given the long history of corruption in the agency.
“Si Jagger naman I have known him for several years and he is good…he is honest. So sabi ko sa kanya, to protect yourself, paalisin mo lahat,” he said.
He ordered Guerrero to replace existing Customs personnel with members of the government forces.
“Maybe you can utilize the Coast Guard sa peripheral…but doon sa loob, alam mo, Jagger, you can draw your ‘yung technical men ng Army, mga technical men ng Air Force, Navy…Hintayin mo, post ka na ng mga Marines ang katabi,” he added.
For his part, Guerrero expressed his gratitude to the President for trusting him and vowed to do his best in fulfilling his duties and reforming the agency. –PND
