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Charlito Martin Mendoza confirms new assignment as Bureau of Customs commissioner, leaving his top post at the Bureau of Internal Revenue
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Mendoza vowed to sustain and build on the accomplishments of his predecessor, Ariel Nepomuceno, who introduced various internal and policy reforms at the BOC
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Mendoza was a private sector lawyer before joining government service as district collector of BOC Port of Cebu, and later moved to the Department of Finance before heading the BIR
Charlito Martin Mendoza confirmed acceptance of his new assignment as Bureau of Customs (BOC) commissioner, leaving his top post at the Bureau of Internal Revenue (BIR).
Mendoza, in a statement on the evening of November 12, vowed to sustain and build on the accomplishments of his predecessor, Ariel Nepomuceno, who has been lauded by stakeholders for successfully introducing and implementing various internal and policy reforms at the BOC.
“We will build on his accomplishments and continue the work already underway,” Mendoza said, adding that he looks forward to working with the men and women of the BOC to carry out the priorities of the Marcos administration, which are strengthening border protection, sustaining revenue collection, and facilitating legitimate trade.
In the latest government shakeup, Nepomuceno has been appointed to head the Bases Conversion and Development Authority (BCDA). Former BCDA president and chief executive officer Joshua Bingcang, in turn, will take over the Philippine Economic Zone Authority, replacing director general Tereso Panga. Mendoza will be replaced at the BIR by Department of Finance (DOF) undersecretary Rolando Ligon, Jr.
READ: Nepomuceno moves from BOC to BCDA as acting chief
Prior to the complete confirmation of the agency leadership movements, the Philippine Exporters Confederation, Inc. (PHILEXPORT) expressed concerns over the changes, particularly at the BOC and the PEZA, underscoring the importance of protecting institutional gains and continuity in positive reforms.
“The gains achieved by PEZA and the BOC should not be taken for granted. They should be sustained, strengthened, and built upon for the benefit of Philippine exporters, investors, workers, and the economy as a whole,” the group said in a statement on November 12.
PHILEXPORT noted that the Anti-Red Tape Authority (ARTA) has reported improvements in the BOC’s standing in its monitoring of government agencies receiving complaints on red tape and service delivery. Notably, BOC is no longer among the agencies identified in ARTA’s reported list of the 10 most complained-about national government agencies for the first quarter of 2026.
Mendoza’s resumé
Mendoza was appointed to lead the BIR in November 2025. Prior to this, he was undersecretary for the Revenue Operations Group of DOF from April 2024.
Before DOF, Mendoza served as district collector of BOC Port of Cebu from July 2019 to October 2022.
Before government service, Mendoza was a founding partner of the Palafox Patriarca Romero and Mendoza Law Firm and was an associate lawyer at the Angara Abello Concepcion Regala and Cruz Law Offices (ACCRALAW) and the Suarez and Narvasa Law Firm.
He was also a law professor and a Pre-Bar and Mandatory Continuing Legal Education lecturer.
Mendoza placed third in the 2004 Philippine bar exam after he earned his Bachelor of Laws degree from San Beda University.
He is also a licensed geodetic engineer, having earned a degree in geodetic engineering from the University of the Philippines.
As he leaves BIR, he thanked his colleagues in the agency, saying the past year “has been the most challenging and meaningful of my public service career.”
Taking on the BOC leadership, he said: “We have important work ahead of us, and I am ready to get started.”
