Tag: BIR

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Lacson: Can’t Support ‘Forced’ Unsealing of BIR ‘Green Box’ in Violation of Law

Senator-Judge Panfilo “Ping” M. Lacson on Sunday said he cannot support the unsealing of the Bureau of Internal Revenue (BIR) “green box” containing Vice President Sara Duterte’s tax records without the President’s written authority as required under the law.

Lacson said he cannot take part in any action that would violate Sections 71 and 270 of the National Internal Revenue Code (NIRC) and established Supreme Court jurisprudence, as he stressed even the Impeachment Court trying the Vice President’s case is not above the law.

“If it is ‘forcibly’ unsealed without the written authority of the President, I will vote against it. That will be my personal vote, because I do not want to be blamed in the future for taking part in violating the law,” he said in English and Filipino in an interview on DZBB radio.

“My position is clear. Without the written authority of the President, I cannot support the unsealing. I am not favoring the defense. I am invoking the law and that is clear,” he added.

In Filipino: Lacson: Hindi Maaaring Suportahan ang Pagbubukas ng BIR ‘Green Box’ Nang Walang Written Authorization Ayon sa Batas

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Lacson: Impeachment Court Won’t Be Above the Law in Deciding What to Do with ‘BIR Green Box’

The Impeachment Court trying the case of Vice President Sara Duterte-Carpio will not and cannot be above the law in deciding what to do with the “BIR Green Box” containing the Vice President’s tax records, Sen. Panfilo “Ping” M. Lacson stressed Sunday.

Lacson said the disposition of the Vice President’s sealed Bureau of Internal Revenue (BIR) income tax return (ITR) records must be governed solely by the law and existing jurisprudence.

“The decision on the status of the sealed BIR ITR records will be dictated by law and existing jurisprudence. The Impeachment Court will not and cannot be above the law. No one else is,” he said on X.

In Filipino: Lacson: Impeachment Court, Hindi Pwedeng Mangingibabaw sa Batas sa Pagpapasya Tungkol sa ‘BIR Green Box’

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Lacson: Impeachment Court Not Meant to Safekeep ‘BIR Green Box’

The Impeachment Court trying the case of Vice President Sara Duterte-Carpio is not meant to safekeep the so-called “BIR Green Box” containing the Vice President’s tax records, and may thus return it to the House prosecution team, Sen. Panfilo “Ping” M. Lacson said Saturday.

Lacson said the Impeachment Court cannot even decide on whether to open the box – much less unseal it – and may even risk being cited for grave abuse of discretion if it does so.

“One of the things we agreed upon in Friday’s senators’ caucus was to return the box because keeping it in our custody will violate the law. It is not the Impeachment Court or any court’s role to unseal it,” he said in a mix of English and Filipino in an interview on DZMM radio.

“Sen. Francis Escudero is right in saying the Impeachment Court has no business safekeeping the evidence because it is a court – unless it is presented and admitted as evidence before the court by the prosecution or defense,” he added.

In Filipino: Lacson: Hindi Tungkulin ng Impeachment Court na Mag-Safekeep ng ‘BIR Green Box’

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Lacson Presents Deterrent for Corrupt BIR Collectors as He Pushes Reform Mode in Govt

Before thinking of engaging in corruption, Bureau of Internal Revenue (BIR) officials should imagine themselves wearing yellow uniforms, having just P100 for their daily meals, and co-mingling with other Persons Deprived of Liberty (PDLs) in jail.

Senate President Pro Tempore Panfilo “Ping” M. Lacson stressed this Tuesday as he prodded the BIR and other government agencies to go into “reform mode.”

“I hope you can re-echo this to your personnel in the field. That’s a very good deterrent. Visualize someone wearing a yellow uniform co-mingled with Persons Deprived of Liberty. If you think of engaging in corruption, just imagine that and you will hold back,” Lacson told BIR officials who attended the Blue Ribbon Committee’s hearing on alleged corrupt practices in the agency, in a mix of English and Filipino.

“If you think of engaging in foolishness, think not just twice or thrice. Think at least 10 times,” he added.

In Filipino: Lacson Naglatag ng Pampigil sa Tiwaling BIR Collectors, Sabay Tulak ang ‘Reform Mode’ sa Pamahalaan

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Lacson Sets Blue Ribbon Hearing on BIR’s Resumption of LOA Issuance

The Senate Blue Ribbon Committee will hold a hearing this week on the Bureau of Internal Revenue’s resumption of the issuance of letters of authority (LOAs) and mission orders (MOs), Senate President Pro Tempore and Blue Ribbon panel chairman Panfilo “Ping” M. Lacson said Monday.

Lacson said the Blue Ribbon Committee needs to be formally informed of the reforms the BIR has instituted in relation to the issuance of LOAs, including the safeguards it put in place.

“The Senate Blue Ribbon Committee needs to be formally informed of the new reforms instituted by the BIR in relation to the issuance of LOAs and if safeguards are already in place to prevent or at least minimize abuse committed against our taxpayers, then we may have to conclude the committee hearings on the matter,” he said.

“We will schedule a hearing this week in this regard to hear what the BIR has to say,” he added.

In Filipino: Lacson, Itinakda ang Pagdinig ng Blue Ribbon sa Muling Pag-isyu ng LOA ng BIR

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