PBBM FETES BOC FOR PH REMOVAL FROM FATF ‘GREY LIST’
Depcomm. Raval, 10 more BOC officials also commended
PRESIDENT Ferdinand Marcos Jr. feted the leadership of the Bureau of Customs (BOC) headed by Commissioner Bienvenido Rubio, in recognition of the agency’s efforts that led to the Philippines’ removal from the ‘Grey List’ of the Financial Action Task Force (FATF), a Paris-based international non-government organization monitoring the flow of financial transactions all over the world.
Aside from Commissioner Rubio, the President also commended Atty. Teddy Raval, Enforcement Group Deputy Commissioner and 10 other BOC officials headed by Port of NAIA district collector Atty. Maria Yasmin Obillos-Mapa, during the awarding ceremony in Malacañang last May 5.
Joining the President during the event is Executive Secretary Lucas Bersamin, who is also chair of the National Anti-Money Laundering/Counter-Terrorism Financing Coordinating Committee (NACC).
The FATF announced the Philippines’ removal from its Grey List last February.
“The individuals we recognized today made this victory possible. They are the ones who worked towards creating a resilient framework to safeguard our financial system from criminal and terrorist activities,” the President remarked.
It took the country some 3 years before being removed from the FATF Grey List that was made possible thru the issuance by President Marcos of Memorandum Circular (MC) 37 in October 2023.
MC 37 directed all relevant government agencies to promptly address the specific ‘action plan items’ identified by the FATF’s ‘International Cooperation Review Group.’
The BOC is one of these agencies covered by the Circular for its role in monitoring and ensuring that only legitimate cross-border movement of cash and monetary instruments is allowed. The importance of exiting the Grey List was further emphasized when President Marcos called for a high-level meeting of all involved agencies early last year.
Under the guidance of Department of Finance Secretary Ralph G. Recto, the BOC has effectively ensured its enforcement programs were closely aligned with the country’s broader fiscal and financial governance priorities.
Working alongside its partner agencies to bolster the country’s compliance with FATF standards, the BOC’s robust border enforcement contributed directly to the country’s favorable assessment during the FATF On-site Visit in January 2025.
The FATF was particularly impressed by the BOC’s key reforms, leading to a 455-fold increase in currency declarations and 194 seizures in 2024—surpassing the total interdictions in the last 10 years combined.
Aside from Comm. Rubio, DCE Raval and Collector Mapa, other officials recognized during the event were NAIA Deputy Collector for Operations Wilnora L. Cawile; Port of Clark Deputy Collector for Passenger Service Atty. Danilo G. Ballena, Jr.; Port of Manila Deputy Collector for Operations Atty. Gerard Turiano; Chief of the Prosecution and Litigation Division Atty. Christopher Dy Buco and Atty. Rod H. Pino from the Legal Service;
SP/Capt. Vincent Mark S. Malasmas, SP/Lt. Danilo A. Jamito, and Customs Operations Officer V Genilyn D. Minardo of the Enforcement Group; and Ms. Liberty Plana, Chief of the Systems Development Division, Management Information Systems Technology Group.
42 institutional partners and over 200 individuals were recognized in the ceremony with President Marcos personally handing out the Certificate of Commendation to Commissioner Rubio and DCE Raval.
“We view this success as both a validation and a responsibility.
“The Bureau of Customs will continue to evolve and innovate to safeguard the country against illicit financial flows and uphold its reputation in the global community,” said Commissioner Rubio.
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