Customs employees urge Faeldon to respect due process

MANILA, Philippines – Employees of the Bureau of Customs (BOC) have cried foul as they found themselves on the receiving end of Commissioner Nicanor Faeldon’s statements on corruption in the bureau.

Faeldon, on Friday, July 22, vowed to do anything to change the agency known for its corrupt practices even if it means “killing” those who hinder reforms. (READ: Faeldon to BOC officials, employees: Support reforms or die)

In a statement, the BOC Employees Association (BOCEA) called the remarks of the newly-installed commissioner as “inimical and violative of their constitutional right to dignity and due process.”

The 3,500-member employees group said that they are for the reform agenda but emphasized that it should be with “due respect to dignity of a person and right to substantive and procedural due process of law.”

Meanwhile, a Customs official who requested anonymity said that Faeldon’s recent remarks against personnel who have long been regarded as “the whipping boy” constitutes grave threat and was entirely uncalled for.

Instead of threatening to kill corrupt personnel, BOCEA urged the former Marine officer to convene the Union Management Consultative Committee that will ensure the implementation of BOC reforms.

Doing so will respect due process as it “hears before it condemn, which proceeds upon an inquiry and render judgment only after the rudimentary proceedings toward a fair reasonable and just conclusion.” – Rappler.com