Bureau of Customs (BOC) Commissioner Ariel F. Nepomuceno called on the nation’s newest customs brokers to champion ethical leadership and professional excellence during the mass oath-taking ceremony held on December 19, 2025.
The event formally inducted more than 2,000 successful examinees of the November 2025 Customs Brokers Licensure Examination. Addressing a capacity crowd of inductees and their families, Commissioner Nepomuceno emphasized that the license is not merely a professional credential but a mandate for moral accountability.
In a stirring keynote address, Commissioner Nepomuceno challenged the inductees to remain steadfast against industry pressures. He used the metaphor of a “bright star” to describe the role each broker must play in the current trade landscape.
“Always think every morning that you can be the bright star in your own office… the darker it is because of the things that happen in our country, the brighter star you should be,” the Commissioner stated, urging the new professionals to uphold integrity whether they enter government service or the private logistics sector.
Highlighting the vital role of customs brokers in the national economy, the Commissioner urged the group to join the “right side of history” by supporting BOC’s ongoing modernization and reform efforts. He emphasized that their expertise is critical to the country’s development.
“Tulungan natin ang bansa natin… I assure you personally that I am joining you in joining the right side of history,” Nepomuceno added, calling for a collective effort to improve the agency’s reputation and efficiency.
Reflecting on his own tenure in public service, Commissioner Nepomuceno acknowledged the systemic challenges and pressures faced by the Bureau. However, he framed these difficulties as catalysts for the agency’s continuous improvement. He encouraged the inductees to:
Face challenges with resilience: View industry hurdles as opportunities for professional growth.
Uphold Professionalism: Maintain the highest standards of the Customs Broker profession.
Support Modernization: Actively contribute to the digital and structural reforms currently reshaping Philippine trade.
The ceremony concluded with the formal administration of the oath, marking the official entry of the 2,000 new professionals into the Philippine workforce, ready to serve as pillars of the logistics and trade industry.
