Ruffy Biazon takes over the Customs Post

President Noynoy Aquino was more definite yesterday when asked who's replacing Angelito Alvarez as Customs Chief? Without naming names, Aquino said the one chosen has agreed to take on the job but asked that he'll be given the chance to spend more time with his wife. Aquino said that the person will be celebrating his wedding anniversary by September 16, 2011 and after that, he can assume the post.


I checked who among the "contenders to the BOC post celebrates his wedding anniversary by that date and I found out that it is Ruffy Biazon, one of my favorite and principled politicians around.


So, it's really Ruffy Biazon who's taking the Bureau of Customs job. If Biazon's appointment is now certain, what becomes of Danny Lim? Lim is being groomed to be the deputy commissioner to head the Custom's intelligence department. 


Think about it---two young idealists, with very strong moral standing and tough as nails principles heading the Customs department. That will be a tall order for smugglers and operators there at the Customs. 


There's nothing wrong with Biazon's request except that Alvarez is going around town, trying to defend himself and indirectly accusing this administration of being under the influence of smugglers. 


Alvarez accuses President Aquino of being under the influence of smugglers that explains his ouster from the department. The only reason why he is still not out of the good graces of Malacanang is his request for a last hurrah.


Alvarez intends to expose the involvement of the Arroyos in illegal smuggling activities at the Bureau. He will be presenting several documents linking former First Gentleman and his sons, Mikey and Dado to several missing containers. Alvarez has the goods so to speak. 


The question is---why only now? And would it really matter?

Pressing Concerns of the Times

There's an interesting book which you, my friends, should read in the weekend. It's George Soros' book entitled, " The New Paradigm of Financial Markets". It's available on line, about 24 dollars for e-books. Soros explained why we are now facing the worst financial crisis of the century and how we will be able to avoid the effects of this.

I commend Gloria for her "tutok" policy in the Customs bureau. However, more than just a propaganda ploy, Gloria should immediately fire Morales. This will make us happier. It was obvious during the press con that there were violations of the Customs and Tariff Code made by his men. He should be fired immediately.

People should really go out in the streets now due to this food crisis. As for rice, there's an apparent attempt to really jack up the price of this cereal to an average of 25 pesos. Government propagandists are trying to justify this by further releasing statements about the crisis. I think this is the height of government apathy on the plight of the poor because they should not allow rice to break the 20 pesos per kilo barrier because as they said, the main issue is not stocks but price. If it's price, they should at least shoulder the burden of the price difference for the meantime because people nowadays lack the capacity to buy food.

Gloria should not be held hostage by these giant rice traders. By the way, 3 big-time traders were allegedly arrested in Isabela. GMA should parade them before the media. That would make my day.