Why Ping Lacson?

I take back what I have said about Customs Commissioner Ruffy Biazon – that he doesn’t have an iota of delicadeza and self-respect because he was holding on to his position in the wake of his involvement in the pork barrel scam.

When Biazon resigned irrevocably the other day, before he met with President Aquino, Biazon exhibited the same delicadeza and self-respect demanded of a Biazon. I am sure, his father, former Senator and now Rep. Rodolfo Biazon of Muntinlupa, must have advised him well. In the wake of the younger Biazon’s involvement in the scam, the honorable thing to do is to resign – not only to spare the President from getting criticized, but to protect his family and their name. 

The elder Biazon’s name has been untainted in his decades of service to the country in various capacities – as a military man, as Chief of Staff of the Armed Forces, and then senator for two terms. That’s a lot worth saving. 

Coming right down to it, Ruffy had no choice but to resign. His continued stay at the Bureau of Customs would place the moral ascendancy of the BOC under a cloud. The leader of any agency must be above suspicion. 

I admit I have not been too kind to Ruffy Biazon. I believe that being a Customs chief demands total honesty, integrity and fortitude. Now, since he has irrevocably resigned, I can say that he lived up to his father’s name.

***

All eyes now are on Biazon’s successor. Will the next Customs commissioner be a political protégé or somebody we can look up to? The worst thing that President Aquino can do is to name a protégé or somebody allied with him as some kind of a political payoff.

To say that the job of a Customs chief is demanding is an understatement. He is unlike other political appointees because he needs to meet collection targets and do something about the rampant corruption in the agency at the same time.

Biazon has warned his replacement to watch his back. Indeed, the new commissioner must be one who knows the intricacies of the bureau and the many ways entrenched syndicates can run circles around an official. 

Having covered the Customs beat for many years during my younger days, I know that more than anything else, a BOC chief must not only be strong enough to distance himself from politicians who will be all over him for favors. He must also enjoy the complete confidence of the President.

***

Questions have been asked about former Senator Panfilo Lacson’s new appointment as “rehabilitation czar.” Lacson is neither an architect nor an engineer. He has never been involved in housing or rehabilitation. He is the first to admit that. So why him?

If Lacson had been appointed as an “anti-crime or anti-corruption czar,” that would fit him to a “t.” He has had experience in crime-busting and going after corrupt members of the Philippine National Police.

Seeing to it that the billions of pesos allocated from local and international sources do not end up in wrong pockets is just one of the many tasks of a “rehabilitation czar.”

The job of rebuilding and rehabilitation in the aftermath of Yolanda demands the participation of the private sector and other stakeholders. Whom we need are urban planners and experts knowledgeable about storm surges and earthquakes. They also need to know about the mobilization of resources.

Lacson should first consult urban planners and experts who have had experience in rehabilitation. He must bear in mind that safeguarding the funds given him is not all there is to success. 

The job that lies before him is Herculean and can even extend beyond the term of President Aquino. This is precisely the reason why the President did not name Lacson as “anti-crime” or “anti-corruption czar.” These posts would place Lacson on the limelight, and because of his experience in fighting crime and corruption, he may just succeed. Mar Roxas and Frank Drilon would not like that. 

So, when the opportunity in the wake of Yolanda’s aftermath, the cabal around the President saw an opportunity to have Lacson appointed to a job that would go beyond Mr. Aquino’s term. Neat, huh?

***

There are questions about the second batch of personalities charged for malversation of public funds, direct bribery, and violation of the Anti-Graft and Corruption Practices Act.

The lawyer of the whistleblowers, Levito Baligod, himself said that he had expected four more senators to be charged in the second batch. Who they are, whether allied with the President or not, we can only speculate.

But, why were Customs Commissioner Ruffy Biazon, and Energy Regulatory Board Chairperson Zenaida Ducut, and other past members of Congress belonging to the Liberal Party included?

Obviously, Malacañang thought of sacrificing some allies of the President so that it could be said that the President does not consider allies and foes in meting out justice.

So will there be a third batch? A fourth? 

***

There are so many locals and foreigners who deserve commendation in the aftermath of Yolanda. Since I cannot name them all, I can only say that in my book, they – especially the volunteers – are this column’s “Persons of the Year.”

My special commendation goes to Metro Manila Development Authority Chairman Francis Tolentino and his hundreds of MMDA rescue and relief force that stayed for days in Tacloban City to clear the rubble and debris and recovered bodies under them. 

The MMDA force under Tolentino went out of its way to help the ravaged areas of Leyte.

They served beyond the call of duty.

http://manilastandardtoday.com/2013/12/04/why-ping-lacson-/