PBBM throws his support to the BIR's War against Ghost Receipts, Illicit Vape, & Illicit Cigarette; Expect more BIR enforcement operations this 2025

Wazzup Pilipinas!?

Bureau of Internal Revenue (BIR) Commissioner Romeo D. Lumagui Jr. announced that the agency's war against ghost receipts, illicit vape, and illicit cigarettes will soldier on this 2025. This announcement was made in relation to the speech made by President Ferdinand R. Marcos Jr. during the BIR Kick-Off event last Tuesday, where he declared that individuals and companies who engage in tax fraud will be held accountable.

"The Run After Fake Transactions led to the filing of cases against ghost sellers and buyers and the collection of more than P4.3 billion, a significant jump from the more than P600 million collected in 2023.

Meanwhile, crackdowns on illicit trade in cigarettes, vapes, and other excisable goods led to the collection of more than P110 million last year.

I have said this before: We will hold those who continue to circumvent our system accountable" President Marcos Jr. stated.

The Run After Fake Transactions (RAFT) task force has been highly successful, contributing to the historic rise in voluntary compliance in Value-Added Tax (VAT) collection last 2024. This rise in VAT collection last 2024  led the way of BIR achieving its Development Budget Coordination Committee (DBCC) collection target last year, a first after twenty long years.

Since 2024, the Department of Justice (DOJ) has been regularly releasing favorable decisions in relation to the criminal cases filed by the RAFT task force against buyers of Ghost Receipts. The DOJ has filed criminal charges against these buyers of Ghost Receipts, and as a matter of course, the Courts will be issuing the warrants of arrest against the responsible corporate officers.

"The BIR's War against Ghost Receipts led the way in achieving our DBCC collection goal for 2024. We experienced a historic increase in VAT collection because of our RAFT task force. The DOJ has also released decisions in favor of BIR's criminal cases against buyers of Ghost Receipts. Warrants of arrest will follow. We are grateful to President Bongbong Marcos and DOJ Secretary Boying Remulla for their support in the BIR's war against Ghost Receipts" Commissioner Lumagui stated.

Commissioner Lumagui reports that there are already several enforcement activities planned for 2025 against the proliferation of illicit vape and cigarettes.

"For 2025, the BIR will continue to raid stores, warehouses, and establishments found to have illicit vape or cigarettes. This includes the taking down of illicit vape or cigarettes found online. It does not matter whether the criminal is engaged in large-scale or small-scale operations. Both are criminal operations. " Commissioner Lumagui stated.

The BIR had several large-scale raids against illicit cigarettes last 2024. The BIR raided 3 warehouses and factories in Cavite with 5.4 billion pesos in tax liability last February 2024. Two months after, the BIR also raided warehouses in Agusan del Sur and Surigao del Sur, the criminals will be facing 219 million pesos in tax liability. Another raid of 7 makeshift warehouses in Palawan  last May 2024 yielded 150 million pesos in tax liability. 

The BIR also conducted a night raid of warehouses in Caloocan and Quezon City last September 2024 where 838 million pesos in tax liability was discovered. In the same month, another raid of 4 large warehouses in Clark, Pampanga uncovered 8 billion pesos in tax liability. The largest illicit cigarette operation for 2024 was when the BIR raided syndicate with a factory and warehouses in Bulacan and Valenzuela City last November 2024, 8.5 billion pesos in tax liability was computed after this raid.

The BIR is also consistent in its enforcement operations against illicit vape last 2024, targeting both large-scale and small-scale operations. Last March 2024, the BIR raided a warehouse in Laguna where 102,900 bottles of Flava vape products were confiscated. A month after, the BIR raided warehouses in Manila and Rizal where 63,138 illicit vape products were also confiscated. Last July 2024, a Flava vape vending machine in Quezon City was also confiscated through the report of a netizen-informant. The BIR also raided the Taytay Tiangge Market last August 2024, confiscating 7,920 illicit vape products.

Commissioner Lumagui himself joined the raid of the Philippine Vape Festival last August 2024 where 5,385 illicit vape products were seized. The festival was marketed as a compliance summit but the BIR surveillance team reported that all of the products during the said event had no internal revenue stamps, which meant that the excise taxes on all of those products were not paid.

Commissioner Lumagui also ordered a nationwide and weekly raid of retail/reseller stores with illicit vape products last October 2024. These weekly raids continued until December 2024. A total of 872 stores of illicit vape products were raided, with 574,920 illicit vape products seized. 

During these nationwide raids against illicit vape, Commissioner Lumagui also raided a store in Quezon City where a "secret menu" of illicit vape was offered to its customers. Only legally compliant vape were displayed in its shelves. However, once a customer asks for the availability of illicit vape products, the store will give the customer the secret menu of illicit vape. A bodega hidden behind the store was the stockpile for all of its illicit vape products.

"This 2025, expect that the BIR will file criminal cases against those involved in illicit vape. We know who you are. This includes both large-scale importers and small-scale retailers/resellers. You can expect criminal cases this year" Commissioner Lumagui stated. 

ARTA holds Annual EODB Economic Briefing; Reiterating commitments for Business-Friendly Bagong Pilipinas

Wazzup Pilipinas!?

On 6 February 2025, the Anti-Red Tape Authority (ARTA) held its annual Ease of Doing Business (EODB) Economic Briefing at the University of Asia and the Pacific (UA&P).  

This yearly event serves as a platform to promote government programs and initiatives aimed at stimulating economic growth and attracting both local and foreign investments through public-private partnerships.  

In his presentation, ARTA Secretary Ernesto V. Perez provided key updates on ARTA’s EODB initiatives, offering insights from three perspectives: a business owner, an international investor, and a researcher. 

Through their experiences, Secretary Perez illustrated how the Philippines is either progressing or falling behind in ease of doing business. 

He also emphasized the need for collective participation in achieving meaningful government reforms. "ARTA is choosing to break through. And with your support, Bagong Pilipinas will not just be a country that works—it will be a country that wins."

He further added that more than digital transformation, what the country really needs is moral transformation to achieve that good governance we all aspire for. 

Meanwhile, National Economic and Development Authority (NEDA) Assistant Secretary for Policy and Planning Reynaldo R. Cancio, and Center for Research and Communication Foundation Research Director Dr. Bernardo Villegas shared insights on the economic impact of EODB reforms from both public and private sector perspectives.  

This ARTA-led initiative exemplifies a whole-of-government approach, with support from key figures such as Office of the Special Assistant for Investment and Economic Affairs (OSAPIEA) Special Assistant to the President Frederick D. Go, Management Association of the Philippines (MAP) President Alfredo S. Panlilio, Philippine Exporters Confederation, Inc. (PhilExport) President Sergio R. Ortiz-Luis Jr., and UA&P Dean of the School of Social Sciences, Law, and Governance Dr. Nicomedes B. Alviar.  

SAP Go emphasized the crucial role of EODB in the country’s economic transformation "Enhancing the ease of doing business is a vital driver of our economic transformation. We fully support ARTA and our partners in this mission. It has been a great experience working with ARTA and Director General Nes Perez, who is truly passionate about cutting red tape and rolling out the red carpet."  

MAP President Alfredo S. Panlilio reiterated the association’s commitment to government efficiency, "The core mission of the Management Association of the Philippines is management excellence for nation-building. We support programs that improve the efficiency and effectiveness of government processes to ensure prompt and quality services for the people. That is why we stand with ARTA in its mission to promote efficiency and transparency in government services while eliminating barriers for businesses, regardless of size."  

PhilExport President Ortiz-Luis Jr. expressed unwavering support for ARTA’s mission, "On behalf of PhilExport, I extend our unwavering support for the mission of sustaining growth, empowering enterprises, and fostering resilient economies—values that align with the theme of today's event."  

UA&P Dean Alviar reaffirmed the university’s commitment to ARTA’s initiatives, "Congratulations, ARTA Secretary Perez. Our university is eager to support your work through research, teaching, and hosting programs and activities of this nature."  

Following these messages of support, a fireside chat was held, moderated by ARTA Better Regulations Office (BRO) Director Marbida L. Marbida and Research, Education, and Institutional Development (REID) Foundation, Inc. Vice President and UA&P SBEP Lecturer Ronilo M. Balbieran. Panelists included Secretary Perez, Assistant Secretary Cancio, and Dr. Villegas, who shared further insights on EODB reforms.  

The event concluded with a message from Dr. Enrico L. Basilio, Director of the University of the Philippines National College of Public Administration and Governance Center for Policy and Executive Development and UA&P SBEP Lecturer "Let us work together to propel economic growth and development in our country."  

Also in attendance were ARTA executives, members of the diplomatic corps, and representatives from both foreign and local chambers.  

As envisioned by President Ferdinand R. Marcos Jr., Bagong Pilipinas aspires to be a progressive nation free from red tape, where businesses can thrive and succeed.

Estandardisasyon at Intelektuwalisasyon ng Wikang Pambansa, Isusulong ng KWF- Kom. Casanova

Wazzup Pilipinas!?

Patúloy na isusulong ng Komisyon sa Wikang Filipino (KWF) ang estandardisasyon at intelektuwalisasyon ng Wikang Pambansa, ito ang ipinahayag ni Kom. Arthur P. Casanova, Tagapangulo ng KWF sa katatapos na Gawad Julian Cruz Balmaseda na ginanap sa Bulwagang Romualdez, 2/P Gusaling Watson, 1610 Kalye Jose P. Laurel, San Miguel, Lungsod Maynila.

Binanggit din ni Tagapangulong Casanova na ang Gawad Julian Cruz Balmaseda ay isang halimbawa ng pagpupunyagi ng KWF na lalò pang mapaigting ang pagiging intelektuwalisado ng Wikang Pambansa. Ibinahagi pa niya na ng wikang Filipino bílang intelektuwalisadong wika ay nása mataas na level na at patúloy na nagsusumikap ang KWF upang higit pang maitaas ang level ng intelektuwalisasyon ng wikang pambansa.

Sa ginawang programang Gawad Julian Cruz Balmaseda 2025, tinanggap ni Mariyel Hiyas C. Liwanag, PhD ang sandaang libong piso (PHP100,000.00) plake, at medalya para sa kaniyang disertasyon sa DLSU-Maynila na pinamagatang “Isabuhay: Isang Larong Disenyo para sa Diskurso ng mga Wikang Katutubo” bílang pinakamahusay na disertasyon sa taóng 2025.

Tumanggap din si Kristine Mae M. Nares ng sandaang libong piso (PHP100,000.00), plake, at medalya para sa kaniyang tesis masterado sa Bicol University na pinamagatang “Pagmamapa ng Kalinangang Bayan ng Munisipalidad ng Guinobatan, Albay” bílang pinakamahusay na tesis sa taóng 2025.

Ibinahagi rin ni Tagapangulong Casanova na bahagi pa rin ng pagpupunyagi ng KWF para sa intelektuwalisasyon ng Wikang Pambansa ay ang patúloy na pagsasagawa ng ahensiya ng mga proyektong pangwika kabílang ang paggawa ng diksiyonaryo na patúloy na pinauunlad at nirerebisa bílang kongkretong patunay na ang wikang Filipino ay tinatangkilik, pinahahalagahan, at ginagamit ng mga Pilipino. 

Ipinahayag naman ni Kom. Benjamin Mendillo Jr. na ang araw ni Balmaseda ay selebrasyon ng mahuhusay na saliksik  na nakabatay sa pagiging angkop, napapanahon, at nakalilinang ng kritikal na kaisipan gámit ang wikang nauunawaan ng madla upang lalong pakinangin ang pananaliksik  sa akademya gámit ang wikang Filipino.

Hinihikayat naman ni Kom. Carmelita C. Abdurahman ang mga magsusulat pa lámang ng kanilang mga saliksik na gamíting midyum ang Filipino upang lalò pa nating maisulong ang intelektuwalisasyon nitó. 

Ang Gawad Julian Cruz Balmaseda ay ang pinakamataas na pagkilála na handog ng KWF para sa natatanging tesis at disertasyon sa agham, matematika, agham panlipunan, at iba pang kaugnay na larang gámit ang wikang Filipino. Si Julian Cruz Balmaseda (28 Enero 1885–18 Setyembre 1947) ay itinuturing na isa sa mga haligi ng panitikang Pilipino dahil sa malaking kontribusyon niya sa panitikan ng bansa.