Duterte swears in Lapeña, Guerrero

President Rodrigo Roa Duterte administers the oath of the newly-appointed Technical Education and Skills Development Authority Director-General Isidro Lapeña during a ceremony at the BGen. Benito N. Ebuen Air Base in Lapu-Lapu City, Cebu on October 30, 2018. ACE MORANDANTE/PRESIDENTIAL PHOTO

MANILA — Newly-designated Bureau of Customs (BOC) chief Rey Leonardo “Jagger” Guerrero and Technical Education and Skills Development Authority (TESDA) Director General Isidro “Sid” Lapeña separately took their oath of office last Tuesday.

President Rodrigo Duterte administered the oath of office to Lapeña and Guerrero five days after he announced their appointment during the 117th Anniversary of the Philippine Coast Guard.

Lapeña took his oath office at Brig. Gen. Benito N. Ebuen Air Base in Lapu-Lapu City while Guerrero swore in a simple ceremony in Davao City.

Duterte named Guerrero as new BOC commissioner amid probe on PHP6.8 billion worth of shabu that slipped past the Customs.

Guerrero, a former Chief of Staff of the Armed Forces of the Philippines, was former administrator of the Maritime Industry Authority (MARINA).

Duterte gave Guerrero a marching order to “double the zealousness” in performing his mandate of ridding the agency of corruption.

The President expressed optimism that the new BOC chief, whom he described as good and honest public servant, will be able to clean the graft-ridden agency.

“So sabi ko sa kanya, to protect yourself, paalisin mo lahat (I told him to protect yourself and remove everyone),” he said.

Aside from appointing Guerrero, Duterte has directed the AFP to “temporarily” detail soldiers in the BOC to help solve corruption in the bureau.