The Makati Business Club has thrown its support behind a bold internal crackdown at the Bureau of Internal Revenue, welcoming the filing of cases against 25 revenue personnel accused of misusing Letters of Authority.
The influential business group commended BIR Commissioner Charlito Mendoza for what it described as a decisive step toward restoring integrity in tax administration. The cases stem from the alleged weaponization of LOAs, which are meant to authorize audits but have long been criticized by businesses as tools for harassment and pressure.
MBC said the move “is a significant step towards upholding integrity and accountability within the country’s tax administration as well as improving ease of doing business and boosting investor confidence.”
For years, both domestic and foreign investors have cited unpredictable audits and exploitative practices as deterrents to expansion in the Philippines.
By holding erring officials accountable, the group argued, the BIR is beginning to dismantle entrenched practices that breed uncertainty and undermine trust. Clear and consistent enforcement, it added, signals that reforms are not merely rhetorical but operational.
“We intend to monitor these cases in the hope that they will be vigorously pursued to their just conclusion,” MBC said, stressing that sustained follow through and transparency will determine whether the effort truly resets the system.
The organization also praised Mendoza’s leadership, calling the action a demonstration of political will at a time when corruption concerns and economic uncertainty have weighed on sentiment. A credible tax regime, business leaders say, is foundational to recovery and long term competitiveness.
MBC signaled its readiness to back broader efforts to modernize and professionalize the BIR, positioning tax reform as a pillar of a more predictable and investor friendly economy. For the private sector, the message is simple.
Cleaning up tax enforcement is not just about discipline within the agency. It is about rebuilding confidence in the Philippine investment story.
