Ombudsman to step up lifestyle checks on BIR, BOC execs amid bribery reports

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The Office of the Ombudsman will conduct intensified lifestyle checks on officials of the Bureau of Internal Revenue (BIR) and the Bureau of Customs (BOC) amid reports of its officials collecting bribe money, Ombudsman Jesus Crispin Remulla said Friday.

Remulla made the announcement during his town hall meeting with the Philippine Chamber of Commerce and Industry (PCCI).

It also comes just a day after the Marcos administration announced that erstwhile BIR Commissioner Charlito Mendoza would move to the Bureau of Customs, while Finance Department official Rolando Ligon Jr. would take over as the country's top taxman. Both Mendoza and Ligon were sworn into office on Friday.

"We will intensify our lifestyle checks on officials of the BIR and the BOC, the two agencies that [are] entrusted with collecting the money that builds our roads, our schools, and our hospitals. That money belongs to the Filipino people," Remulla said.

“There are people notorious for that [lavish lifestyle]. We will have people watching them…the cars they drive, even those not under their name. Travel records will be a good giveaway to check on lifestyle. We’ll also provide a hotline, so you can tell if your neighbor is one of those [we should investigate],” he added.

Remulla said ostentatious displays of wealth by public officials and their families have no place in public service, as provided under the Code of Conduct and Ethical Standards for Public Officials and Employees.

“Lifestyle check is a limiting factor to the movement of people with money. When there is lifestyle check,, they would not get to enjoy their money as much as they are enjoying it now. That is what we want to happen. For this obscene behavior…including those of nepo babies, to stop,” he said.

“You can easily spot that with the cars they drive and if they are always travelling on business class,” he added.

Remulla also said he had received reports of government officials collecting fees without issuing receipts, with some of these…

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