DOF collections and DOJ leadership

As the country’s corruption scandals continue to unravel, the economy suffers. See for instance these reports in The STAR this month: “Customs bribery a major barrier to investment in Philippines — US report” (Oct 8), “CPBRD warns of risks to long-term fiscal stability” (Oct. 12), “BIR chases billions from online sellers” (Oct. 14), “BIR sees lower tax collection due to DPWH fiasco” (Oct. 15), “DOF: Tamed spending due to corruption slowing growth” (Oct. 15).

- BIENVENIDO S. OPLAS JR.

The Bureau of Customs (BOC) and the Bureau of Internal Revenue (BIR) are the key tax-collecting agencies of the Department of Finance (DOF).

These two bureaus on the revenue side have their share of public suspicion of corruption aside from huge agencies on the spending side like the DPWH, DepEd, DSWD and DOH.

DOF Secretary Ralph Recto has confirmed that the BIR’s collections have declined in August-September, that such downturn in revenues could serve as an early warning of slower economic growth. This will be reflected in the coming third and fourth quarter 2025 GDP performance.

Secretary Recto also revealed that the Philippines was poised to receive an upgrade in credit rating from “BBB+” to “A-” from S&P this year but this may not happen due to the continuing corruption scandal over flood control and related public infrastructure projects.