PRESIDENT Ferdinand Marcos Jr. has named Ariel Nepomuceno, administrator of the Office of Civil Defense and executive director of the National Disaster Risk Reduction and Management Council, as chief of the Bureau of Customs vice Bienvenido Rubio, the Presidential Communications Office said yesterday.
The PCO was mum on the reasons for the replacement of Rubio who was among heads of agencies and presidential appointees who submitted their courtesy resignations in May following a Cabinet recalibration.
The President administered the oath of office to Nepomuceno yesterday in Malacañang.
Aside from his posts at the OCD and NDRRMC, Nepomuceno has also served deputy commissioner for the Enforcement Group of the bureau from 2013 to 2017 and as assistant commissioner from 2017 to 2018.
He is a member of Philippine Military Academy Class of 1987 and a magna cum laude of the University of the Philippines where he earned his Bachelor of Arts in History degree. He holds an executive MBA degree in Business Administration and Management from the Asian Institute of Management.
As this developed, PCO Acting Secretary Jay Ruiz denied reports he is on his way out, but said that he will “always serve at the pleasure of the president (and) whatever happens, I will be forever grateful for the opportunity.”
Ruiz made the statement to the media amid reports he would be transferred to the Presidential Action Center.
He said that unless he is directed to leave, he would continue to lead the PCO.
Ruiz was reappointed by the President as acting secretary early this month after the Commission on Appointments deferred the deliberation on his appointment.
Meanwhile, Justice Secretary Jesus Crispin Remulla said he will apply for the Ombudsman post that will be vacated when the term of Samuel Martires expires on July 17 upon the completion of his seven-year term.
Martires was appointed to the post in 2018, replacing Conchita Carpio-Morales.
Remulla said he will submit his application to the Judicial and Bar Council (JBC) “Friday, before Friday.”
The JBC last month opened applications for Martires’ post, with a July 4 deadline for interested candidates. The JBC is the body tasked by the Constitution to vet and screen nominees to the Judiciary, and the Ombudsman and the Deputy Ombudsman.
Remulla expressed confidence he can do the job. “I think I have a lot to offer there,” he said.
Asked what his plans are as chief graft buster, Remulla refused to discuss specifics.
“I have my work cut out for me. I have to talk to the JBC about it first. I think the JBC is in the best position to appreciate whatever I have to offer as ombudsman,” he said.
Asked about the complaint filed by Sen. Imee Marcos against him and other government officials regarding the arrest and subsequent turnover of former President Rodrigo Duterte to the custody of the International Criminal Court, Remulla said he does not think that will hinder his application.
“The JBC can always evaluate that properly,” he said adding he has relayed his plan to apply for ombudsman post to President Marcos.
“ I told a mutual contact that I was very interested in the post,” he said. – With Ashzel Hachero
