President Ferdinand Marcos Jr. Screengrab from a video posted on his Facebook page.
MANILA, Philippines — President Ferdinand Marcos Jr. has voiced his strong support for the Bureau of Customs’ new policy aimed at eliminating corruption and boosting transparency. This policy requires all customs personnel to disclose any family ties with individuals involved in the customs brokerage industry.
The four-word keyphrase “Bureau of Customs transparency” is central to this new initiative. Recently appointed Customs Commissioner Ariel Nepomuceno issued Office of the Commissioner Memo No. 39-2025 on July 10. The memo strictly prohibits all Bureau of Customs officials, employees, and personnel from having any business or financial interests in customs brokerage operations.
Bureau of Customs Transparency Steps Up
Palace press officer Undersecretary Claire Castro emphasized that the policy intends to strengthen good governance and transparency within the agency. “The President has ordered that it is time to put an end to the system that enables corruption and other undesirable practices within the agency. The bureau will prioritize the welfare of the people and not the personal interests of a few,” she said, quoting Commissioner Nepomuceno.
The Bureau of Customs, long associated with widespread corruption, welcomed the memo as a historic move toward restoring integrity and public trust. The directive bans any direct or indirect participation in customs brokerage businesses by BOC personnel. This includes roles such as owner, incorporator, stockholder, partner, consultant, or advisor—any position that might create ethical conflicts.
Disclosure and Accountability Measures
All personnel are mandated to submit a verified affidavit to the Office of the Commissioner by July 20. This affidavit must reveal any familial relationship, within the fourth civil degree of consanguinity or affinity, with individuals involved in customs brokerage businesses. They must include the name, address, and contact details of the brokerage, along with other pertinent information.
This disclosure requirement applies even to those who have not been affiliated with the Bureau of Customs in the past five years. It covers brokerages that have ceased operations, those where shares have been divested, or where an individual was formerly listed as an incorporator but no longer holds interest.
Enforcement and Legal Foundations
Commissioner Nepomuceno warned that personnel who fail to comply with these rules will face sanctions under applicable laws. He explained that the memo reiterates existing laws, including the Code of Conduct and Ethical Standards for Public Officials and Employees, the Revised Civil Service Rules, and previous Bureau of Customs memoranda.
The policy also draws from Section 12 of the BOC Integrity Action Plan. It prohibits officials from engaging in business dealings with brokers, importers, or exporters in ways that could jeopardize their duties. Moreover, it forbids officials from holding any interests or positions in private enterprises regulated by the bureau.
“This is more than policy. It is a public declaration that the Bureau of Customs will no longer tolerate practices that breed corruption, favoritism, or undue influence. We are placing public interest above personal gain,” Nepomuceno declared, marking a crucial step toward institutional integrity.
For more news and updates on Bureau of Customs transparency, visit Filipinokami.com.
