BIR’S REVENUE WAR! MENDOZA,..

THIS IS NOT JUST A BUDGET—THIS IS A BATTLE PLAN FOR REVENUE!

The Bureau of Internal Revenue is gearing up for another major offensive against tax leakage, inefficiency and revenue shortfalls as it moves to secure stronger funding for Fiscal Year 2027.

And at the center of this revenue drive are BIR Commissioner Atty. Charlito Martin R. Mendoza and Deputy Commissioner for Operations Atty. Vener S. Baquiran, who are expected to steer the agency toward a more aggressive, technology-driven and taxpayer-focused tax administration.

The message is crystal clear: every peso that should go to government must be collected—and every loophole that allows revenue to escape must be confronted.

The BIR recently welcomed Congressman Zia Alonto Adiong for a briefing on the Bureau’s proposed FY 2027 budget, with Deputy Commissioners Vener S. Baquiran and Teresita M. Angeles leading the discussions.

OIC-Assistant Commissioner Beverly S. Milo presented the BIR’s key priorities and funding requirements for the coming fiscal year.

But beyond the numbers written on the budget papers is a much bigger question:

CAN THE BIR COLLECT MORE WITHOUT MAKING HONEST TAXPAYERS CARRY THE ENTIRE LOAD?

That is where the leadership of Commissioner Mendoza and Operations chief Baquiran becomes crucial.

The BIR cannot afford business as usual.

The country needs revenue. Government needs money for infrastructure, health, education, public services and national development. And every peso lost through tax evasion, underdeclaration, fraudulent transactions or administrative inefficiency ultimately becomes a burden on compliant taxpayers.

THAT IS THE REAL BATTLEFIELD.

Commissioner Mendoza must therefore ensure that the Bureau’s modernization agenda translates into actual collection performance—not merely seminars, meetings, memoranda and PowerPoint presentations.

And Baquiran, as Deputy Commissioner for Operations, carries a critical responsibility in making sure the Bureau’s field operations are aligned with that mission.

THE FRONTLINES ARE IN THE FIELD.

Tax administration must be felt where transactions happen, where businesses operate and where revenue is generated.

At the same time, enforcement must be firm but fair. The BIR must go after genuine tax violations without harassing compliant taxpayers. Digitalization must not become another bureaucratic obstacle; it should make compliance faster, easier and more transparent.

That is why the proposed 2027 funding for tax administration, taxpayer services, digitalization and revenue collection deserves serious scrutiny and, where justified, strong congressional support.

Congressman Adiong, as sponsor of the BIR’s proposed budget in the House of Representatives, has expressed support for the Bureau’s funding requirements and commitment to help advance them during congressional deliberations.

Now the ball is in Congress’ court.

GIVE THE BIR THE TOOLS—THEN DEMAND RESULTS!

The public deserves nothing less.

With Mendoza at the helm and Baquiran driving operations, the BIR has an opportunity to make the 2027 budget more than an accounting exercise.

It can become a revenue war room—where technology, intelligence, enforcement and professional tax administration are combined to close the gaps that have long weakened government collections.

Because in the end, the Filipino taxpayer is asking only one thing: