I respectfully disagree, Mr. Aries Rufo

In Aries Rufo’s 11/10/09 report entitled: Former BIR chief forcibly ousted, I believe Mr. Aries Rufo is making a harsh accusation. In his report he said:

Weeks ago, Esquivias found out that the appointment papers of his temporary replacement, senior deputy commissioner Joel Tan-Torres, has already been signed, insiders and watchers at the BIR said. He had no choice but to quit. He tendered his resignation as Commissioner of the Bureau of Internal Revenue on October 30, a Friday.

It appears to me that Esquivias has made a choice to resign. He could have waited until he is replaced, fired, or relocated in some other department. There is always a choice, and Esquivias’  has chosen to “resign.”

I do not see where force was applied against him. It is clear to me however, that the claim that Esquivias was forcibly ousted was Mr. Aries Rufo’s opinion. Thats what my friends thought given Mr. Rufo’s lines:

In other words, Esquivias was forcibly taken out of his post. His ouster was a plan that took some months of execution. It was a coup that was waiting to happen.

Afterall, Mr. Esquivias said:

“The BIR has a large tax collection shortfall right now, and I feel ashamed to stay.”