A Bureau of Internal Revenue (BIR) employee was arrested for allegedly extorting money from an establishment selling kids’ bikes.
The BIR, along with elements from the Philippine National Police (PNP), conducted a joint operation last Thursday, Feb. 14 that led to the discovery of the employee’s extortion.
Based on the agency’s reports, the employee was extorting money under the guise of an official BIR tax compliance verification drive.
It was revealed that being in the taxpayer’s place of business was not part of the employee’s official functions.
The employee is set to face criminal cases of robbery (extortion), grave coercion and usurpation of official function or authority, violations of the Anti-Graft and Corrupt Practices Act, and Code of Conduct and Ethical Standards for Public Officials and Employees, which were filed before the Office of the City Prosecutor.
“Pinangako ko ang integrity and professionalism of the institution and employees. Kaya hindi natin palalagpasin ang mga ganitong gawain. Walang lugar sa Bagong BIR ang mga ganitong empleyado”, BIR Commissioner Romeo Lumagui Jr. stated.
[I promised the integrity and professionalism of the institution and its employees. So we will not let such activities pass up. Such employees have no place in the New BIR.]
“All BIR officials conducting enforcement activities must be armed with the proper authority either a Letter of Authority or Mission Order. Taxpayers can always ask and verify the authority by which a BIR employee is visiting their office or business,” Lumagui said.
“You can report any individual, whether a BIR employee or a stranger, if he or she cannot show any official document that warrants his or her presence in your business establishment,” he reiterated.
The BIR has yet to disclose the amount of money that was extorted from the bike establishment.