IN HIS first official policy directive as Commissioner of Customs, former Department of National Defense (DND) Undersecretary Ariel Nepomuceno issued a memorandum suspending the implementation of all previously approved but unserved Letters of Authority (LOAs) and Mission Orders (MOs).
The new Customs chief issued the directive on July 2, one day after he formally assumed the top Customs post after being sworn into office by President Marcos Jr. in Malacañang two days previously, on June 30.
The directive applies to all LOAs and MOs issued prior to July 2 that have yet to be served and covers all units under the Intelligence and Enforcement Groups.
Commissioner Nepomuceno also instructed the Enforcement Group (EG) now under Deputy Nolasco Bathan and Intelligence Group (IG) Deputy Commissioner Romeo Rosales, to submit a comprehensive status report on all LOAs and MOs issued from January 1 to June 30, 2025, within 24 hours of receipt.
“We are implementing this step to clearly determine what actions are still pending and to ensure that all enforcement efforts are legally sound, properly documented, and aligned with the Bureau’s direction moving forward,” he stated.