BIR told: Probe Mar campaign financier

MANILA, Philippines - In line with his vow to stop corruption in government, President Duterte has asked the Bureau of Internal Revenue (BIR) to check taxes paid by a businessman who was among the top campaign financiers of losing presidential candidate Manuel Roxas II.

Duterte told the BIR to probe Francis Eric Gutierrez, owner of SR Metals Inc. (SRMI), a nickel mine operator in Agusan del Norte penalized by the government in 2007 for alleged over-mining.

The President has accused Roxas of being a protector of SRMI since the former interior and local government secretary used Gutierrez’s plane during his campaign. 

“All businessmen should pay taxes. They are many… citing Gutierrez (as an example). There should be no exemptions. He cannot only destroy Tubay in Agusan del Norte,” Duterte said during a fellowship dinner of the San Beda College of Law alumni at Malacañang’s Heroes Hall on Sunday.

He said he was focused on eliminating drugs, crime and corruption before digging in on Gutierrez.

“I will take away the privilege of granting huge tax exemptions… You don’t know they have helicopters, airplanes,” the President said, referring to Gutierrez.  

He urged businessmen not to fool around with tax payments, saying he would take away tax exemptions of some businesses to improve revenue collection.

Duterte said he would also end online gambling.

“There is no way of knowing how to collect taxes on gambling bets outside the Philippines because it operates online. So this has to stop,” he said.

Duterte also threatened to take back logging concessions if these businesses fail to do their part in environment protection.