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The Bureau of Customs reinforced its “No Take” policy, which strictly prohibits bribery and unlawful monetary transactions, as part of the bureau’s anti-corruption efforts
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Customs commissioner Ariel Nepomuceno issued a firm public warning that corruption will not be tolerated, whether committed by Customs personnel or by stakeholders
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Nepomuceno called on all stakeholders, including importers, customs brokers, and trade industry players, not just to comply, but to actively take part in this commitment to clean governance
The Bureau of Customs (BOC) reinforced its “No Take” policy, which strictly prohibits bribery and unlawful monetary transactions, as part of the bureau’s anti-corruption efforts.
Customs commissioner Ariel Nepomuceno issued a firm public warning that corruption will not be tolerated, whether committed by Customs personnel or by stakeholders. This policy is non-negotiable and will be upheld from day one of his term until his last day in office, BOC said in a statement.
In line with this directive, Nepomuceno called on all stakeholders, including importers, customs brokers, and trade industry players, not just to comply, but to actively take part in this commitment to clean governance. He emphasized that the success of the “No Take” policy depends not only on internal enforcement but also on the discipline and integrity of those engaging with the BOC.
“We cannot win the fight against corruption if stakeholders themselves continue to offer bribes or enter into under-the-table deals,” Nepomuceno said.
He added, “This is a shared responsibility. I expect all parties inside and outside the BOC to uphold the same standards of integrity. The ‘No Take’ policy is a standing commitment of my administration, and any violation will be addressed with the utmost firmness and urgency.”
Nepomuceno also urged the private sector to report any irregularities or corruption attempts they may encounter.
“Let this be clear: those who choose to engage in corrupt practices, regardless of their role, will be held accountable,” he said.
BOC said it remains strongly committed to building a culture of integrity, professional service, and public accountability.
“With the cooperation of stakeholders, the BOC aims to create a trade environment that is transparent, fair, and fully compliant with the law,” it said.
Earlier, BOC recently relieved nine Customs personnel linked to a reported extortion incident at the Ninoy Aquino International Airport (NAIA) Terminal 3 and has implemented a 24-hour complaint reporting policy to ensure immediate action on personnel misconduct.
Nepomuceno also issued a memorandum strictly prohibiting all officials, employees, and personnel of BOC from holding any business or financial interest in customs brokerage operations to eliminate conflicts of interest and reinforce transparency within its ranks.
