00:00 The Bureau of Internal Revenue is bent on actively pursuing individuals who continue
00:04 buying fake or ghost receipts.
00:07 AssetExpress confidence in achieving its target revenue collection of 2.6 trillion pesos for
00:12 this year.
00:13 Rod Laguza tells us more.
00:17 The Bureau of Internal Revenue is after those who buy fake or ghost receipts.
00:22 Part of steps taken by the agency to achieve its target revenue collection this year.
00:26 According to BIR Commissioner Romeo Lumagui Jr., they are confident to hit their target
00:31 of over 2.6 trillion pesos.
00:33 Tax collection has reached over 1.2 trillion pesos in the first six months of the year.
00:38 This is 7.65 percent higher compared to the same period last year.
00:42 Our investigation on those who buy fake receipts is ongoing.
00:46 We have already filed many cases and we will continue to do so in the coming weeks.
00:55 Our development of cases is ongoing and we will file many cases against those who buy
01:01 ghost receipts.
01:02 The agency stressed the directive of President Ferdinand R. Marquez Jr. that revenue collection
01:08 is critically important to fund the government's Build Better More infrastructure program.
01:12 According to Lumagui, following their crackdown, many have sent feelers or tried to get in
01:16 touch.
01:17 They are willing to pay and they also said that we will get feedback from the private
01:22 sector and from different accounting organizations that they will no longer do this type of procedure
01:30 when buying fake receipts.
01:32 We also heard about it through business groups that they will all comply.
01:38 The BIR explained when big companies pay the correct VAT amount, it can be felt for the
01:42 remaining half of the year.
01:44 Finance Secretary Benjamin Giocno emphasized the importance of transparency and accountability
01:49 as the agency celebrates its 119th founding anniversary.
01:53 He said in the agency's pursuit of tax evaders, the BIR has already filed 192 cases with the
01:59 Department of Justice.
02:00 The estimated liability from this is around P8 billion from July 2022 to May 2023.
02:07 At the same time, the BIR also executed 134 foreclosure orders and collected P332.5 million
02:14 from its Opland Candado program.
02:15 And in March, with the run-out of the fake transaction program which you just saw, the
02:21 BIR filed criminal charges against nine individuals running ghost corporations that cost the government
02:31 billions in tax losses.
02:35 These programs demonstrate the government's intensified efforts to promote fairness and
02:41 transparency in the tax system.
02:44 Meanwhile, the BIR said the discount for senior citizens and persons with disabilities on
02:48 online and mobile application purchases is mandatory.
02:52 Based on the Release Revenue Regulation of the agency, the signature of a senior citizen
02:57 or PWD is no longer required here, but the senior citizen or PWD identification card
03:03 number must still be given.
03:05 According to the BIR, such issuance of such revenue regulation is part of the agency's
03:10 push to become service-oriented and not just as a goal-oriented agency.
03:14 Rod Laguzad, For The Nation.
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