Four officials of Bureau of Customs (BoC) were ordered to vacate their posts as the dismissal of the so-called “midnight appointees” continues under the Aquino administration.

In compliance with Malacanang's Executive Order No. 2, Customs Commissioner Angelito Alvarez issued the walking papers of BoC Deputy Commissioner for Administration Jose L. Ong and Edna Barrida, director of Financial Service Division.

He also ordered the immediate removal of Nestorio Gualberto, director of the Enforcement Security Service (ESS), and Rey Delgado, director of the Customs Planning and Systems Development Service.

“This order shall take effect immediately and shall last until revoked or until a permanent appointment shall have been issued by the President,” Alvarez said based on his Customs Personnel Order No. B-205. He signed it last Aug. 12.

He said a look at the dates of their respective appointments showed that they assumed office between March 31 and April 5 this year. EO No. 2 ordered the revocation of appointments made by President Gloria Macapagal-Arroyo on or after March 11 and those made before March 11 in which the appointee had accepted, taken his oath, or assumed public office.

Their questionable qualification is also compounded by the fact that they are not Career Executive Service Officers (CESO) holders. Under the law, they should be CESO eligible as government officials.