On corruption: Pin our hopes on the BIR

Several months ago, we saw a Bureau of Internal Revenue (BIR) that was going hard on its own ranks and so mean on the taxpaying or, should we say, tax-evading public.  Truth to tell, not only did we witness the prosecution of the likes of Judy Ann Santos, we’ve also heard about the BIR running after Korean actor Ryan Bang and actress Solenn Heussaff for allegedly under-declaring her earnings by almost 100 percent in 2011.  Then, a couple of weeks ago, we were witnesses of complaints/cases filed against the Napoleses, particularly, Janet, her husband and lavish-spending daughter, Jeane Catherine.  Obviously, in all instances, the BIR noted either under-declaration/non-declaration or non-filing of income tax returns. 

Frankly, they were all perceived to be tax evaders.  However, the comparison stops there.  The difference is crystal-clear.  Actors/actresses are rendering decent services and are earning honest pays but have under-declared their income before the BIR while the Napoleses accumulated wealth through perceivably unethical means and have obviously did not disclose the same.

Like the Napoleses, some politicians have likewise accumulated wealth in mind-blowing ways.  For instance, Sen. Jinggoy Estrada declared that he owned a mansion in Wack Wack, an affluent neighborhood. Reportedly, the building alone will cost P120,000,000 (though most argue the entire property could pitch P500,000,000).  Likewise, he admitted, it is not shown in his SALN.  Now that such acquisition is of public knowledge, the BIR promised to look into every tax angle of Sen. Estrada’s wealth.  

Admittedly, had it not been for the whistleblowers’ exposes, all of these issues could have been blown to oblivion.  For one, unlike non-politician taxpayers, politicians deal with taxpayers’ contributions (in the form of taxes) to the national treasury, well, as users.  So that, when they make fools out of it, every shenanigan they make is either grossly padded or undocumented.   Therefore, the deceitful act (that could be in millions) has no trace whatsoever.  Consequently, we have become witnesses of how the BIR discovered Ms. Heussaff ‘s under-declaration and none for politicians.

Generally, the incomes of politicians are harder to uncover as these are deceitfully done and under cover of collusion.  However, all is not lost for these malpractices.  Early this year, just like Manila’s whistleblowers, private citizen Roberto Letaba bravely requested the Ombudsman-Visayas to conduct a lifestyle check on Cebu’s 3rd district Rep. Pablo John Garcia (PJ) after photos surfaced of his “mansion” in Barangay Guadalupe, Cebu City.  Likewise, then private citizen Gigi Sanchez (now, Provincial Board Member, Province of Cebu) file a complaint against Rep. PJ before the BIR for alleged tax fraud. 

Just like Sen. Estrada’s, by the looks of it, it will never just cost P900,000 as reported in his 2008 SALN or even P10,400,000 as indicated in his 2011 SALN.  Granting, however, for purposes of argument, that it is P10,400,000, together with a fleet of expensive cars and multicabs, then, he must have a huge net worth.  Knowing fully well that net worth increases are brought about by income or profits, then, as congressman, it should come from his salaries.  Palpably, this information (salaries) isn’t difficult to gather as the same SALN he filed revealed that he (PJ) just earned P376,500 in 2008 and 2009; and earned P420,000 and P675,918 in 2010 and 2011, respectively.  With such relatively meager annual earnings, where does the money used to acquire these extravagant assets come from?    

Earlier, he alleged to have borrowed from financial institutions and have shown such fact in his SALN. However, the same SALN never indicated the names of the creditors he obtained the loan, as required.  That, in fact, leaves a huge doubt on its validity.  Rightly so, because it could be that a liability was falsely booked to show a supposedly lesser net worth.  Moreover, he can always claim to have earned this from his businesses.  If so, then, the question is, were these incomes declared in his income tax returns? 

Thus, like on actors/actresses, the BIR should also look into the ITRs of politicians.  The BIR can always look into the politicians’ SALN for reference.  Then, compare the growth of their net worth as shown in their SALNs against the ITRs they filed with the bureau.  Also, they can gather information from the Registry of Deeds, LGUs’ assessors and LTO for ownerships of properties.  This way, the public can get a full, factual and fair accounting of their money. 

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