BIR officials disappointed over comments on corruption

Regional directors down to district officers and tax examiners of the Bureau of Internal Revenue (BIR) expressed disappointment yesterday over the statement of President Duterte that graft and corruption still persist in the foremost tax collection arm of the government. The field officials were reacting to the President’s warning of possible abolition of the BIR, the Bureau of Customs and the Philippine Charity Sweepstake Office for their failure to heed his warning to end all forms of illegal money-making operations. The President told a gathering of local officials in Davao City that graft and corruption still continue in these three government offices despite his admonition. On the contrary, revenue officials said it is the taxpayers who are now harassing tax examiners as evidenced by many complaints sent via 8888 of the Civil Service Commissioner. As a result, taxmen from regional offices as well as the specialized audit divisions in the [...]