Duterte accepts Faeldon resignation

Lapeña named new Customs chief

President Duterte has accepted the resignation of Customs Commissioner Nicanor Faeldon, appointing Philippine Drug Enforcement Agency (PDEA) chief Isidro Lapeña to head the bureau he earlier described as “corrupt to the core.”

“General Lapeña has my confidence and trust. It will be his decision to reorganize the bureau. I will place him there,” Duterte told reporters in an evening press conference yesterday.

Faeldon had drawn flak for the entry of P6.4 billion worth of shabu in the country from Xiamen, China in May.

Duterte said Philippine National Police-Southern Luzon regional director Chief Superintendent Aaron Aquino would replace Lapeña as PDEA chief.

Both Lapeña and Aquino served as officials of the Davao City police when Duterte was mayor of the city

in separate terms. Both were also among the trusted men of the President for a long time in Davao City.

Despite accepting Faeldon’s resignation, Duterte is still convinced he is an honest official.

“From the tone of his resignation I really believed he was an honest man,” the President said.

Duterte could not say what Faledon’s next assignment would be. He, however, said he would need officials like Faeldon in government.

Some lawmakers have asked Duterte to fire Faeldon, saying the Customs chief can no longer be trusted because of the shabu shipment controversy.

Faeldon had rejected calls for his resignation, saying only the President can fire him. The Customs chief later tried to resign from his post three times.

Duterte said Faeldon will be appointed to other positions in his administration.

“Faeldon still has my trust and I need him in my government,” the President said.

Aquino, on the other hand, is reportedly set to retire from the service in September upon reaching the mandatory age of 56.

New DSWD chief

Duterte also revealed that he has offered the post of social welfare secretary to a female senator but declined to elaborate.

The Commission on Appointments (CA) has rejected the appointment of Social Welfare Secretary Judy Taguiwalo, one of the cabinet officials endorsed by leftist groups.

Duterte said he chose not to meddle with the decision of the CA, noting that the voting was done in secret.

He admitted that he felt bad with the rejection of the appointment of Taguiwalo, whom he described as “bright.”

Duterte also revealed that he is planning to appoint Armed Forces chief Gen. Eduardo Año as officer-in-charge of the Interior and Local Department until the one-year ban for appointing retired uniformed officials lapses.