Bureau of Customs (BoC) commissioner Bienvenido Rubio was recognized for outstanding leadership and public service at the Top 50 Influential People of the Philippines awards ceremony last 10 February 2025.

Rubio received an award in the Public Service and Leadership category at the event, organized by Rising Tigers, InCharge, and TopNewsAsia.

The awards honored individuals who have made significant impacts and driven positive change across the country.

“For 24 years, I have dedicated my life to public service and witnessed how even the smallest decisions can create ripples of change,” Rubio said, as he stressed that leadership is about inspiring others and bringing about significant change, from his early days as a special agent to his current role as commissioner.

He added that public service is about the people served and ensuring reforms benefit the greater good.

Rubio recalled his initial reluctance to identify himself as a customs officer due to negative public perception of the BoC as he acknowledged the agency’s past challenges but highlighted its progress, citing achievements in border security, trade facilitation and record-high revenue collection.

“I’m here today to demonstrate that we’ve come a long way from where we were, not to alter the public’s opinion of the BoC. We will keep working to create a world-class customs administration that supports good governance,” said Rubio.