Lapeña takes oath as incoming Customs chief

Incoming Customs commissioner Isidro “Sid” Lapeña on Tuesday afternoon took his oath of office before President Rodrigo Duterte. (Photo: PDEA)

Incoming Customs commissioner Isidro “Sid” Lapeña on Tuesday afternoon took his oath of office before President Rodrigo Duterte.

Based on the appointment papers released by Malacañang, Lapeña was appointed to the post on August 23. It was two days after Duterte announced that Lapeña will take the place of Nicanor Faeldon as the new Customs chief.

Lapeña told reporters that he would assume office on Wednesday at the Bureau of Customs (BOC).

“[What] I’m going to do is to call for a command conference and then from there I will be briefed by the different directors or the deputy commissioners and we should be able to plan out actions that has to be taken,” he said.

When Lapeña was asked regarding his plan to overhaul the BOC, he admitted that he still needs to review it to determine the extent of the possible reorganization. He also added that he would be bringing in few people to work with him in the agency.

Aside from Lapeña, Ambassador to the United States Jose Manuel “Babe” Romualdez and former Armed Forces chief Emmanuel Bautista sworn in as undersecretary of the Office of the President.

Former Manila Vice Mayor Francisco “Isko Moreno” Domagoso also took his oath as chairman of the North Luzon Railways Corporation.

Meanwhile, Duterte’s former professor Jose David Lapuzbsworn in as member of the UNESCO National Commission of the Philippines (UNACOM).

More than 60 other new officials of the administration also took their oath of office before the President.