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Manila Bulletin devider Philippines devider National devider Palace: Nepomuceno replacement at BOC 'fake'; document to be referred to NBI

Palace: Nepomuceno replacement at BOC 'fake'; document to be referred to NBI

Published Feb 19, 2026 02:15 pm
Customs Commissioner Ariel Nepomuceno
Customs Commissioner Ariel Nepomuceno
Malacañang dismissed as fake a circulating document claiming that Bureau of Customs (BOC) Commissioner Ariel Nepomuceno had been replaced, saying the matter will be referred to the National Bureau of Investigation (NBI).
Presidential Communications Office (PCO) Undersecretary Claire Castro said this after Nepomuceno’s supposed appointment paper bore the date Feb. 2, 2026, even though he was officially sworn in on June 30 last year.
In a press briefing on Thursday, Feb. 19, Castro said there was no truth to reports that Nepomuceno would be replaced.
“Ang kumakalat na sinasabing papalitan, si Commissioner Ariel Nepomuceno ay wala pong katotohanan (The circulating claim that Commissioner Ariel Nepomuceno is being replaced is not true),” she said.
She added that the document being shared online would be turned over to authorities for investigation.
“Ang lumalabas po na dokumentong iyan ay ibibigay po natin mismo sa NBI (That document circulating will be given directly to the NBI),” Castro said.
“Marami na po talaga ang namimihasa/umaabuso sa kanilang mga sinasabing freedom of expression (Many are already taking advantage of what they call freedom of expression),” she added.
The Palace Press Officer stressed that the government wants to determine the source of the alleged fake information.
“Iyan po ay ipapaalam at ihahatid natin sa NBI para makita at maimbestigahan kung saan nanggagaling ang mga pekeng impormasyon na iyan (We will inform and forward this to the NBI so it can determine and investigate where those fake pieces of information are coming from),” she added.
Nepomuceno was sworn in as Customs chief on June 30, 2025.

BOC intel arm gets reboot

Meanwhile, the BOC’s intelligence division has undergone a minor reshuffle amid the corruption allegations faced by one of its officers.
In a letter dated Dec. 12, 2025, BOC-Intelligence Group Deputy Commissioner Romeo Allan Rosales ordered the temporary assignment of Paul Oliver Pacunayen, Intelligence Officer III of the BOC-Customs Intelligence and Investigation Office (CIIS), to the IG-Office of the Deputy Commissioner.
The order was made “pending investigation by the Bureau of Customs of alleged corrupt acts” involving Pacunayen, who is the subject of a complaint involving alleged smuggling activities in the Port of Manila (POM).
“He (Pacunayen) shall refrain from engaging in any operational activities outside the scope of this temporary assignment unless expressly authorized,” the order said, adding that the officer shall report directly to the IG-Office of the Deputy Commissioner and shall perform duties directed by Rosales.
Similarly, lawyer Allen Dela Cruz, chief of the Intelligence Division, CIIS-IG, is also temporarily assigned as Office Caretaker of the POM-Field Station of CIIS, the BOC order said.
Dela Cruz is tasked to oversee the day-to-day operations of the POM, CIIS-IG, and ensure continuity of functions.
Pacunayen was among those mentioned in a letter sent to President Marcos by the BOC’s concerned officials, employees, and stakeholders, who alleged that smuggling activities have returned to the port.

Related Tags

Claire Castro Bureau of Customs BOC Ariel Nepomuceno
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