Senate Deputy Majority Leader JV Ejercito exposed what he described as rampant corruption involving unscrupulous examiners and collectors of the Bureau of Internal Revenue (BIR), who he said have been preying on private businesses by pocketing up to 70% of taxes collected through letters of authority (LOA).
“They are weaponizing the letter of authority for corruption,” Ejercito said in a media briefing, stressing that while he supports legitimate revenue-generating measures, “Pero huwag naman ‘yung aabusuhin.”
Ejercito said the scheme is even worse than the alleged kickback operations involving certain officials from the Department of Public Works and Highways (DPWH), where corrupt personnel reportedly pocketed up to 30% of project funds.
The senator noted that the BIR originally projected ₱6 billion in collections from tax deficiencies flagged via LOAs but managed to remit only ₱2 billion.
“Bakit? Kasi ‘yung 70% na nakukulekta, hindi pinapasok… Yung 70% ang dinadakma, 30% lang ang pinapasok sa gobyerno,” he said.
Ejercito said victims include small Filipino businesses, foreign investors, and even public figures.
He cited motovlogger Jet Lee, who was allegedly pressured by BIR personnel to settle her supposed deficiency—reduced from an initial ₱10 million demand to ₱3 million. He added that ambassadors and business groups have already asked him for assistance amid reports of harassment and extortion.
“Nakakalungkot na lahat na ng sangay (ng gobyerno)… gumagawa ng kanya-kanyang diskarte,” he lamented.