MANILA, Philippines – Ipinag-utos ng Bureau of Internal Revenue nitong Lunes, Nobyembre 24 ang agarang suspensyon ng lahat ng field audits at operasyon nito, kabilang ang pag-iisyu ng Letters of Authority (LOA) at Mission Orders (MO) kasabay ng mga reklamo ng ilang negosyante at taxpayers.
“This suspension is necessary to protect taxpayer rights, strengthen internal discipline, and ensure the integrity of our audit processes. We take every complaint seriously, and any misuse of authority, harassment, or irregularity has no place in the Bureau,” pahayag ni newly-installed BIR commissioner Charlie Mendoza.
Sakop ng temporary suspension ang lahat ng opisina ng BIR na sangkot sa audit at field operations, kabilang ang Large Taxpayers Service, Revenue Regions at District Offices, Assessment Divisions, VAT Audit Units, at Intelligence and Special Audit Units.
Hindi naman sakop ng suspensyon ang “urgent or legally mandated cases such as active criminal investigations, one-time transactions, audits prescribing within six months, refund claims that require audits, or immediate action on taxpayers flagged by verified intelligence.”
Ang direktiba ay kasunod ng paghahain ng resolusyon ni Senador Erwin Tulfo na humihimok sa imbestigasyon ng Senate Blue Ribbon Committee sa umano’y money-making scheme ng BIR sa mga LOA.
Mayroon aniyang limang negosyante ang lumapit sa kanya at nagpahayag ng pagnanais na maghain ng reklamo at magpasa ng mga dokumento.
“The suspension was issued after extensive internal consultations and was undertaken with the guidance and strategic oversight of Finance Secretary Frederick Go to ensure full alignment with national priorities on good governance, taxpayer protection, and efficient revenue administration,” ani Mendoza.
Ipinag-utos na niya ang pagbuo ng Technical Working Group (TWG) sa LOA at MO Integrity and Audit Reforms para pangunahan ang reporma.
“The group is tasked with evaluating existing procedures, identifying operational and systemic vulnerabilities, recommending revised LOA protocols, and integrating digital safeguards and uniform audit standards,” anang opisyal.
“These systems are meant to protect taxpayers while helping the Bureau perform its mandate efficiently,” ayon pa sa BIR commissioner.
“The overarching directive of the President when I assumed office is to ensure efficient and fair revenue collections.” RNT/JGC
