New Bureau of Customs Commissioner Ariel F. Nepomuceno on Sunday said his top marching orders from President Ferdinand “Bongbong” Marcos Jr. are to improve revenue collection and fix the agency’s internal processes.
In a radio interview, Nepomuceno emphasized that customs reforms must start at the top, revealing that leadership changes have already begun. He added that he will be closely evaluating the performance of port collectors nationwide.
Nepomuceno stressed that now is the time to overhaul outdated systems and make sure that public service is delivered with discipline and transparency.
Earlier last week, Nepomuceno’s first official directive as Customs chief was to suspend all unserved Letters of Authority (LOAs) and Mission Orders (MOs) issued before 2 July 2025. The suspension was prompted by mounting complaints from business groups over questionable raids and excessive enforcement actions.
He also ordered all relevant deputy commissioners to submit a detailed status report on LOAs and MOs issued between 1 January and 30 June 2025. The move aims to review the legality and proper documentation of these operations to prevent potential abuse and ensure accountability.
"This directive is a necessary reset," Nepomuceno said. "We must ensure that every enforcement action moving forward is legal, current, and in line with the Bureau’s renewed focus on professionalism, transparency, and institutional accountability.”
The reforms are in line with President Marcos’s broader directive to professionalize government agencies and uphold legal standards in the country’s anti-smuggling campaign.