Archbishop sees ‘politics’ in Aquino’s choice of officials

A CATHOLIC Church leader yesterday chided President Benigno Aquino III for letting “politics rule” in his choice of government officials.

Retired Archbishop Oscar Cruz issued the statement amid rumors that former Muntinlupa City Rep. Rozzano Ruffino Biazon, who ran for senator in 2010 under Aquino’s Liberal Party but lost, is one of those being eyed to replace beleaguered Bureau of Customs (BOC) Commissioner Angelito Alvarez.

“The measure of your choice of people is not based on capacity, talent and performance but only because of political reasons and that is fatal,” he said in a Church-organized forum in Manila. “To me this is the most faulty criterion in appointing managers in offices that would have something to do with development.”

Archbishop Cruz said there are a lot of people more capable but they are being overlooked because of their political affiliation.

“You can name names, and they have proven their capacity; and yet since they don’t belong to the political majority, they do not get the appointment. It is as simple as that,” said the prelate.

He said Alvarez’s reported replacement had no experience in raising revenues.

“If you put him there, just wait and we would hear more anomalies because he would still have to study. It would be like taking driving lessons,” Cruz said.

On Monday, it became clear that BOC Commissioner Alvarez is on his way out and that a replacement has already been chosen.

Although the President refused to identify the replacement, he revealed that the person in question has already accepted the post, and that he expects him to reform the BOC.