NINE MONTHS into his position as Deputy Commissioner of the Bureau of Customs, Michael Cristobal Fermin resigned from his post supposedly for personal reasons. His replacement has yet to be named.
Fermin, who heads the Internal Administration Group, has left on “personal security issues” since last week and his resignation was accepted by the Commissioner and by Malacanang, said Deputy Chief of Staff Chris Noel Bendijo of Commissioner Ariel Nepomuceno.
In a news which came out in a Manila-based tabloid, a source hinted at a continuing purge within the bureau with no less than Customs Intelligence Service Director Thomas Narcise next in line. Narcise was appointed by President Ferdinand Marcos Jr. in July 2025.
Interestingly, Malacanang has yet to approve the Narcise’s removal.
INTERNAL PURGE
Just recently, Nepomuceno removed Paul Pacunayen as head of the intelligence in the Port of Manila amid allegations of his supposed involvement in smuggling activities.
Another person removed and placed on floating status in the commissioner’s office was Director Ronnie Principe, who headed the X-Ray Inspection Project. Principe was replaced by Atty. Rey Roland Bergado, who previously headed the Informal Entry Division at the Manila International Container Port.
Bendijo said: “There are personal security issues I cannot discuss at the moment. That was the deciding factor for DepCom Mike to resign.”
From being a director, Fermin was promoted last April 2025 to Deputy Commissioner.
FREQUENT RIGODON
The frequent “rigodon” (reorganization) of personnel within BoC is a persistent strategy to combat entrenched corruption, improve revenue collection, and respond to political directives, but some industry stakeholders describe it as largely politically based.
Among the reasons behind frequent changes are:
- Anti-Corruption Measures to disrupt “tara” (grease money) systems and to prevent familiarity and collusion of officials with brokers and importers. Frequent, sometimes sudden, movements are intended to break up cozy relationships, especially at key ports.
- Performance Accountability when personnel, including District Collectors, fail to meet assigned revenue targets as the agency faces pressure to meet high revenue goals.
- Investigation and Discipline– the BoC frequently uses relief and reassignment as a temporary measure against staff involved in illegal activities or “erring” employees, often leading to suspensions or dismissals.
- Political Directive and Reform– since the bureau is under the guidance of the Department of Finance or the President, reshuffling is often used to implement reform, “clean up” the agency, and increase efficiency, particularly after being flagged for corruption.
- Preventing “Fixers”– to combat smuggling, the bureau acts against personnel involved in fraudulent practices, such as smuggling illegal drugs or luxury vehicles.
Though these movements are described as routine, similar to “change oil,” such changes are designed to keep the agency on its toes and ensure continuous, albeit sometimes disruptive, oversight.