In a resolute statement, President Ferdinand R. Marcos Jr. has pledged to ramp up the fight against tax evasion, ensuring that those who manipulate the tax system face consequences. Speaking at the launch of the 2025 National Tax Campaign in Manila, Marcos emphasized the importance of tax compliance for the country’s growth and development.
Marcos reiterated his stance on accountability, stating, “We will hold those who continue to circumvent our system accountable.” His comments were made during the National Tax Awareness Month, where he expressed both hope and firmness in his expectations for national contribution and the strict enforcement of tax laws.
The President also celebrated the Bureau of Internal Revenue’s (BIR) achievement of collecting over PHP2.85 trillion in 2024, the highest in two decades. This amount, which exceeded the previous year’s PHP2.52 trillion, could potentially fund extensive infrastructure projects, including over a million new schools, 190,000 kilometers of roads, and 167,000 rural health facilities.
Marcos urged Filipinos to pay their taxes correctly, reinforcing the call during the campaign launch. He praised the BIR’s efforts in digital transformation, which have simplified tax compliance for businesses. Additionally, the BIR’s proactive enforcement led to over 307,000 visits and verifications, recovering PHP257 million.
The agency’s “Run After Fake Transactions” initiative has been particularly successful, recovering over PHP4.3 billion, a significant increase from the PHP600 million collected the previous year. Marcos encouraged Filipinos to take pride in their tax contributions, viewing them as essential to building a prosperous future. He assured the public that government funds would be meticulously managed to promote national progress.