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Newly-licensed customs brokers took their oath of professional service on December 19
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They were also inducted as members of the Philippine Chamber of Customs Brokers, Inc., the accredited professional organization for customs brokers
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Professional Regulatory Board for Customs Brokers chairman Samuel Bautista instructed the new licensees to commit to practicing the profession with integrity, uphold the highest ethical standards, and excel in customer service and human relations
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There will also be oathtaking ceremonies in Cebu and Davao on January 9 and 11, respectively
Newly-licensed customs brokers – who passed this year’s customs brokers licensure examination (CuBLE) – officially took their oath of professional service on December 19.
They were also inducted as members of the Philippine Chamber of Customs Brokers, Inc., the accredited professional organization for customs brokers.
A total of 2,238 or 72.7% of the 3,078 takers passed this year’s CuBLE. This is so far the highest passing rate for the annual exam, surpassing the record 57% passing rate in 2023.
A total of 38 examinees garnered the top 10 spot led by Carlos Jophet Enopia of the Philippine Christian University-Manila with a 95% rating.
Among the schools with more than 40 examinees, Mabalacat City College was the top performing school with a 97.06% passing rate, followed by Lyceum of the Philippines-Manila with 91.3%, and Batangas State University-Batangas City with 90.41%.
“As you take your oath as new customs brokers, I charge each and every one of you to commit to practicing this profession with integrity, ensuring that your actions remain beyond reproach; to uphold the highest ethical standards, choosing wisdom and moral discernment over the fleeting allure of questionable gains; to excel in customer service and human relations, treating every stakeholder with respect and serving our nation with honor,” Professional Regulatory Board for Customs Brokers chairman Samuel Bautista said in a speech during the oathtaking ceremony held at the Philippine International Convention Center.
Bautista noted that passing the CuBLE “isn’t just an indicator of your academic commitment, it signifies your initial step into a role that greatly influences our country’s economy.”
Moreover, he said the new customs brokers are joining a new generation of professionals entering an environment driven by technological advancements such as artificial intelligence (AI), machine learning, and big data analytics.
“And in this digital era, some may wonder, ‘Does the role of a customs broker still hold relevance? Are we still essential?’ The answer is an unequivocal yes, our importance remains unchanged, and indeed our role has evolved,” Bautista said, adding that while technologies such as AI provide vast amounts of data, humans remain essential for judgement, wisdom, and ethical decisions.
He added that technology will not make customs brokers unnecessary but will instead boost their capabilities.
READ: Career guide for customs brokers under review
Customs commissioner Ariel Nepomuceno also noted that the field of customs and trade is constantly evolving, “and it is essential to have guiding principles that will help you navigate its challenges.
“Hence, integrity must be your foundation of every decision and action you take, because pursuing excellence without integrity cannot endure,” Nepomuceno said.
In a speech during the ceremony, the Customs chief also emphasized the need for integrity and accountability, especially if the new customs brokers will enter government service.
