Customs cleaning up ranks;
to work closely with sugarmen
BY CARLA GOMEZ

Customs Deputy Commissioner for Intelligence Danilo Lim yesterday said a reshuffling at the Bureau of Customs will definitely be underway to strengthen the campaign against smuggling, which happens because of “collusion between smugglers and their own people”.

The image of the BOC is so bad, its new leadership is working at ridding it of the corrupt but it is easier said than done, it cannot be totally stopped overnight, he said.

They have 18 major ports all over the country and several sub ports to watch, and have to correct practices that have become part of the culture of the past, Lim said.

The use of violence to achieve reforms in the government is no longer the call of the time, former Scout Ranger commander Brig. Gen. Danilo Lim said yesterday.

Lim was a member of the Rebolusyonaryong Alyansang Makabayan, whose members had figured in several military uprising since 1986.

Lim, who was jailed for seven years under the administrations of former Presidents Corazon Aquino and Gloria Macapagal-Arroyo, said the RAM is now waging a battle against poverty and corruption, and continues to push for reforms in the government.

Bacolod City Mayor Evelio yesterday called on Bacoleños to celebrate the Christmas season as a family at the Bacolod City Government Center as he led the lights-on ceremony last night at the facade of the facility with his wife, Elsa, and councilors Homer Bais and Carlos Jose Lopez.

Leonardia announced that the lights-on ceremony ushers in a month-long celebration of the Yuletide season at the government center which will feature a week-end treat for Bacolodnons in the form of entertainment to be presented by schools and churches starting next weekend.