President Marcos has issued a stern warning to those who continue to exploit the country's tax system that they will be held accountable.

"I have said this before: We will hold those who continue to circumvent our system accountable," Marcos said in his speech during the 2025 National Tax Campaign Kick-Off of the Bureau of Internal Revenue (BIR) on Tuesday, Feb. 4.

Marcos made the statement even after noting that the fight against tax fraud has made significant progress, citing initiatives undertaken by the BIR.

"The fight against tax fraud is also making significant progress," Marcos said.

The President cited that the bureau's Run After Fake Transactions led to the filing of cases against ghost sellers and buyers and the collection of more than P4.3 billion, a significant jump from the more than P600 million collected in 2023.

Crackdowns on illicit trade in cigarettes, vapes, and other excisable goods led to the collection of more than P110 million last year, he added.

'See the value of paying taxes'

While he encouraged tax payers to continue contributing to the country through paying their taxes, Marcos told the people to see the value in their contributions.

He stressed that these contributions help realize a progressive Philippines.

"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," Marcos said.

"Sa ating mga kababayan, sa bawat buwis na ating tapat na binabayaran, tayo ay hindi lamang nag-aambag sa kaban ng bayan, tayo rin ay nagtatayo ng isang maunlad na Pilipinas (To our fellowmen, every tax you pay, you are not only contributing to the fund of the government, you are also building progress for the country)," Marcos added.

He further told Filipinos to "be proud of your contributions because it gives life to the country."

'Be guardians of the system'

The Chief Executive also reminded the BIR to be watchful and continue being the guardians of system.

"To the BIR, your mandate is clear—be watchful, be guardians of a system that ensures that every peso that is collected is channeled into programs that serve our people," he said.

Marcos assured the nation that the taxes they paid for will be safeguarded, and that it will lead to the betterment of Filipinos' lives.

"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 (We assure you that we are guarding the nation's fund. We will ensure that the country's fund will lead to projects that will make the country and the lives of Filipinos better)," Marcos said.

The President noted that in 2024, the BIR collected more than P2.85 trillion, which was higher than the P2.52 trillion collected in 2023.

He said it could be translated to over one million new schools, or 190,000 kilometers of roads, or 167,000 rural health facilities.

The 2025 National Tax Campaign Kick-off, with the theme "Buwis na Tapat, Tagumpay Nating Lahat," underscores the crucial role of taxpayers in funding the country's economic recovery and development through the timely and correct payment of taxes.

The event held on Tuesday at the Philippine International Convention Center (PICC) in Pasay City also marked the beginning of Tax Awareness Month, a time dedicated to promote tax education and reinforce the importance of responsible tax payment.

Throughout the month, the agency will roll out various activities, including seminars, information drives, and stakeholder and media engagements, to further enhance public awareness on taxation.