Solon to anti-graft body: Run after corrupt agents

The Presidential Commission Against Graft and Corruption was urged yesterday to run after corrupt tax collectors of the Bureau of Internal Revenue and Bureau of Customs.

"Corrupt BIR and Customs agents are the single biggest impediment to government efforts to improve tax collection," said Rep. Ernesto Herrera (Lakas, Bohol) in making the appeal.

Herrera, a People Power Coalition senatorial candidate, said revenue loss is caused principally by inefficiency and official cheating.

Corruption has aggravated the government’s cash problems and derailed the implementation of some vital social programs, he said.

He added that because of the failure of the BIR and Customs to collect enough revenues, the budget deficit since deposed President Joseph Estrada assumed office accumulated to a whopping P370 billion, including P70 billion in unpaid accounts left by the previous administration.

Herrera appealed to tax collectors to improve their collection now that a new national leadership is in place.

He also reminded that under the newly signed Lateral Attrition Act, they could lose their jobs if they fail to meet their revenue targets.

Under that law, which is principally authored by Rep. Danilo Suarez (LAMP, Quezon), former chairman of the House ways and means committee, yearly collection goals are set for tax collectors.

If they are unable to achieve their goals, they could be transferred laterally or face layoff. – Jess Diaz