THE decision of President Rodrigo Duterte for the “military takeover” of the Bureau of Customs (BoC) says a lot about the gravity of corruption problem in the agency.
While it has been known by all Filipinos that the BoC is a graft-ridden agency, the “military takeover” is an expression that for the current administration, at least, civilian management of the agency cannot address the corruption problem in it.
The move of President Duterte also says a lot about his preference for military and police personnel for key roles in his administration. He has been clear about the reason for such preference – the attribute of uniformed men and women to follow orders and deliver the ordered results.
It now appears that the failure of the BoC chiefs in his administration – military/police leaders Nicanor Faeldon and Isidro Lapena – to deliver the ordered eradication of corruption in the agency, pushed President Duterte to expand the application of his “military preference.”
The failures of former BoC chiefs Faeldon and Lapena obviously did not make the President change his preference. The appointments of the former BoC chiefs to other government posts, including the promotion of Lapeña to a Cabinet post, mean that the President does not believe that they were part of the corruption problem.
In his pronouncement, President Duterte in effect said that they should not be faulted, even in context of command responsibility, because the corruption system in the BoC is so strong that it will not allow even incorruptible chiefs to succeed.
This is clearly the reason why President Duterte is pursuing the “military takeover” option. This is an option where the President’s preferred military factor is used not just for the head but also for all personnel in the agency.
There are individuals and groups that are questioning the move of President Duterte. Their argument is simple – the corruption problem in the BoC is not among the reasons for a constitutionally-allowed military takeover. The issue on the constitutionality of the “military takeover” of BoC is something for the Supreme Court to decide.
Those who agree and even support the decision of President Duterte see the wisdom in the “military takeover” of BoC because no other plausible alternative solutions are available or are being offered.
Let us admit that the corruption problem in the BoC causes a lot of other problems in our society. It is a serious problem that requires a serious solution. Should we regard the “military takeover” of the BoC unconstitutional even if it is an effective means for the government to perform its fundamental constitutional mandate of serving and protecting the people? Just asking.
