Finance Usec Sevilla Now Customs Chief

Malacañang on Thursday announced that it has formally appointed Customs OIC John Sevilla as the new Bureau of Customs Commissioner.

In a press briefing, presidential spokesman Edwin Lacierda announced the appointment of Mr. John Philip “Sunny” Sevilla as Customs Commissioner after President Benigno Aquino III formally appointed him.

“We are pleased to announce the appointment of Mr. John Philip Sevilla as Customs Commissioner. This is a formal appointment,” Lacierda said adding that the appointment was made on December 9.

“Leadership of the Bureau of Customs requires someone who is results-oriented and an expert on economics, international relations, and project implementation. These traits describe Sunny Sevilla perfectly,” he said.

Earlier, Sevilla was appointed Officer in Charge (OIC) of the Bureau of Customs. The former Finance Undersecretary will be replacing Commissioner Ruffy Biazon, who resigns from office after having been implicated along with 333 others with malversation case filed by the Department of Justice.

Sevilla had served as Finance Undersecretary for the Corporate Affairs Group and Privatization since 2010, according to the Department of Finance. He graduated from Cornell University with a degree in Economics and Government, and holds a Master of Arts degree in Public Affairs from Princeton University. He also served as Undersecretary for Privatization from 2006 to 2007.

Before his work at the Finance Department, Sevilla was an executive director at investment bank Goldman Sachs, and an associate director and sovereign rater for credit rating agency Standard and Poor’s.

He also served as chief operating officer of Synergeia Foundation, a non-profit organization which seeks to improve the quality of public education in the Philippines.

Source: Gma News Online

(Image Credit: newsinfo.inquirer.net)