The government is committed to enforcing accountability for tax evaders who continue to circumvent the country’s tax system.
On Tuesday, President Ferdinand R. Marcos Jr. issued a strong warning to hold tax evaders accountable. He assured the public that the government carefully monitors expenditures to protect public funds.
“I have said this before: We will hold those who continue to circumvent our system accountable,” the President said during the 2025 Bureau of Internal Revenue (BIR) National Tax Campaign Kickoff at the Philippine International Convention Center.
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.
The President stressed that honest tax contributions fuel something greater than individual interests.
He said that every peso collected is rightfully allocated to programs that benefit the people.
“Makakaasa po kayo na mahigpit nating babantayan ang paggugol sa pondo ng bayan. Sisiguruhin natin na ang ating pondo ay magbubunga ng mga proyektong ikakabuti ng ating bansa at ikauunlad ng bawat isang Pilipino,” he said.
Strengthening tax collection and digital transformation
President Marcos also highlighted the government’s ongoing efforts to improve tax collection. He said that beyond enforcement, the BIR has embraced the government’s transformation to streamline compliance, reduce corruption risks, and enhance taxpayer services.
He described the BIR’s Online Registration and Update System (ORUS) as a game-changer, allowing taxpayers to register books and BIR’s employee records and process transfers and document releases.
Implementing the Digital TIN IDs has enhanced security and convenience for taxpayers while the Electronic One-Time Transaction (eONETT) System has simplified the processing and issuance of Electronic Certificate Authorizing Registration (eCARs), the President also said. | PND
