In a bureaucracy where praise is scarce and trust is even scarcer, something explosive happened inside the halls of the Federation of Filipino Chinese Chambers of Commerce and Industry, Inc. (FFCCCII) in Binondo.
Top business leaders—usually cautious, diplomatic, and allergic to government drama—did the unexpected:
They openly, loudly, and unequivocally backed Bureau of Customs Commissioner Ariel F. Nepomuceno.
Not out of courtesy.
Not out of pressure.
But because the reforms are real, the business community is finally feeling the difference.
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“WE STAND WITH CUSTOMS” — A STATEMENT UNHEARD FOR YEARS
At the General Assembly of the Customs Industry Consultative and Advisory Council (CICAC), industry leaders delivered what could only be described as a shockwave of support.
The strongest punch came from Rex Daryanani, Chairman of the Federation of Indian Chambers of Commerce:
“We stand firmly with the Bureau… to decisively eradicate all forms of graft and corruption.”
That’s not a typical business line.
That’s a declaration of war—against the old Customs, the old system, the old ways.
Daryanani praised the shift from a murky, unpredictable environment to one driven by professionalism, transparency, and accountability.
And the name attached to that shift?
Ariel F. Nepomuceno.
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A COMMISSIONER WHO DOESN’T SPEAK IN CODES
In a sea of bureaucratic jargon, Commissioner Nepomuceno walked in and spoke like a man on a mission:
“Gusto naming marinig ang kailangan ninyo…
para ma-facilitate ang trade, para gumanda ang negosyo ninyo,
at gawing partner n’yo ang Customs—hindi problema.”
Blunt. Direct. No sugarcoating.
And the businessmen in the room—many of whom have survived decades of Customs frustrations—felt it.
This wasn’t PR.
This was a policy anchored on listening, fixing, and delivering.
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BROKERS BACK HIM TOO — A RARE SIGHT
Even the brokerage sector, historically one of the most battered and vocal critics of Customs operations, threw its weight behind Nepomuceno.
PCCBI President Atty. Norberto Castillo said what many wouldn’t dare say a year ago:
“Nararamdaman namin ang ganda ng mga reforms.
Ituloy ninyo.
We are with you in your advocacy of good governance.”
For a Customs Commissioner, this is like striking gold.
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TOKENS OF SUPPORT, AND A MESSAGE THAT ECHOED
The FFCCCII and CITI didn’t just applaud—they handed Commissioner Nepomuceno official tokens of appreciation, symbolic but powerful signs that:
The private sector is not only watching the reforms —
They’re betting on them.
In an environment where business groups rarely praise government agencies unless something dramatic changes, this speaks volumes.
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THE NEPOMUCENO EFFECT
Let’s be clear:
The Bureau of Customs has long been a lightning rod for controversy.
Reforms often die with speeches.
Promises usually evaporate after press releases.
But under Ariel F. Nepomuceno, things are shifting—fast and visibly:
•More transparency
•More automation
•More predictability
•More accountability
•More partnership
And most importantly:
Less fear, less confusion, less corruption.
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THE BOTTOM LINE: THE BUSINESS SECTOR BELIEVES AGAIN
Commissioner Nepomuceno closed the event with gratitude—but also with a powerful message:
Reforms will continue.
Reforms will deepen.
Reforms will not stop.
With a Commissioner who confronts old problems head-on and an industry finally ready to work side by side, this CICAC assembly may mark a turning point—
The moment when Customs stepped out of the shadows and into a new era.
And the message from the business sector is loud, bold, and unmistakable:
“WE TRUST CUSTOMS AGAIN.”
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