By Darryl John Esguerra
MANILA – President Ferdinand R. Marcos Jr. on Tuesday vowed to intensify efforts against tax fraud, stressing those who exploit the system will be held accountable.
Marcos made the remarks as he led the launching of the 2025 National Tax Campaign, encouraging Filipinos to fulfill their tax responsibilities for the nation’s development.
“I have said this before: We will hold those who continue to circumvent our system accountable,” Marcos said.
The ceremony was in observance of the National Tax Awareness Month.
“And I say this with hope and with sternness — hope that we all see the value in contributing to our country and that the law will deal sternly against those who exploit the system unfairly,” he said.
Record-breaking collection
Marcos hailed the Bureau of Internal Revenue (BIR) for its record-breaking collection in 2024, which surpassed PHP2.85 trillion—marking the first time in 20 years that the agency met its target.
The figure represents a significant increase from the PHP2.52 trillion collected in 2023.
Marcos noted that the taxes collected in 2024 could fund over a million new schools, 190,000 kilometers of roads, and 167,000 rural health facilities.
“Ngayong araw na ito, muli kaming nananawagan sa ating mga kababayan at magpapaalala sa pagbabayad ng tamang buwis (Today, we are renewing our call to the public on paying the right taxes),” Marcos said.
The President also recognized the BIR’s digital transformation initiatives, which have made tax compliance easier for businesses.
In addition to boosting collections, he also applauded the BIR’s proactive measures in ensuring tax compliance.
The BIR conducted more than 307,000 visits and verifications, recovering P257 million through enforcement.
The agency also made substantial progress in cracking down on tax fraud, with the “Run After Fake Transactions” initiative collecting over PHP4.3 billion, a dramatic rise from the previous year’s PHP600 million
The Chief Executive also called on Filipinos to take pride in their role in nation-building, saying that paying taxes is not only a civic duty but a contribution to a prosperous future.
He assured the public that government funds will be carefully monitored and used effectively to ensure national progress. (PNA)
