Official Website of Philippine Senator Pia Cayetano

Tag: BOC

  • Sen. Pia: Corruption, Flood Control Anomalies threaten PH Economy

    Sen. Pia: Corruption, Flood Control Anomalies threaten PH Economy

    NEWS RELEASE
    NOVEMBER 13, 2025

    Wednesday (November 13) – Senator Pia S. Cayetano raised the alarm over persistent corruption in government agencies, warning that schemes such as ghost flood control projects not only waste public funds, but also undermine taxpayer confidence, discourage investments, and ultimately slow the country’s economic growth.

    Cayetano, who chairs the Senate Committee on Ways and Means, led a public hearing on Tuesday (November 12) to assess the performance of the Bureau of Internal Revenue (BIR) and the Bureau of Customs (BOC), the government’s key revenue-generating agencies.

    Former BIR Commissioner Romeo Lumagui, Jr. earlier admitted that the agency is short of P897 billion to meet its P3.219-trillion collection target for 2025 amid a slowdown in government spending triggered by recent flood control scandals. 

    Cayetano said the situation reflects how graft and corruption creates a vicious cycle that not only drains the country’s resources, but also erodes public and investor confidence, leading to weaker revenues, fewer investments, and slower job creation for Filipinos.

    “Sadly, we are in a situation where, as we try to help people understand where their taxes should go – on education or health services – they instead hear these stories of graft and corruption. Sino bang hindi malulungkot? Sino pa bang gaganahan to pay their taxes? Sinong investor pa ang gustong maglagay ng pera dito sa atin,” the Senator stressed during the hearing.

    “The challenge before us is to ensure that our revenue system remains equitable, efficient, and responsive to the needs of the Filipino people,” she added.

    Cayetano further noted that during her consultations for the Corporate Recovery and Tax Incentives for Enterprises (CREATE) Act, which she sponsored, business groups and investors repeatedly cited persistent corruption as a major deterrent to investing in the Philippines.

    She emphasized that tackling these issues requires both strong enforcement and legislative support to strengthen government systems, improve transparency, and restore confidence among taxpayers and investors.

    The Senator stressed that addressing corruption and loopholes in government agencies also involves investing in the right technology to improve monitoring and close gaps in existing procedures.

  • Photo Release: Committee on Ways and Means

    Photo Release: Committee on Ways and Means

    November 12, 2025 — Senator Pia S. Cayetano convened the Senate Committee on Ways and Means on Wednesday for its organizational meeting and briefing with the Department of Finance (DOF), Bureau of Internal Revenue (BIR), Bureau of Customs (BOC), and the Department of Transportation (DOTr) setting the direction for the panel’s review of the country’s tax and revenue system. The wide-ranging discussion covered revenue collection, enforcement against smuggling and illicit trade, and proposals for more efficient and transparent fiscal policies. Cayetano called for stronger inter-agency coordination and evidence-based policymaking to ensure that tax measures are fair, effective, and responsive to the needs of the Filipino people.

  • Sen. Cayetano urges support for stronger preventive and universal healthcare

    Sen. Cayetano urges support for stronger preventive and universal healthcare

    Senior Finance Vice Chairperson Sen. Pia S. Cayetano pushed for stronger support for preventive and universal healthcare as she opened deliberations on the 2026 budget of the Department of Health. She raised concern over the under-allocation of sin tax revenues intended for Philhealth, urging that the full amount mandated by law be remitted. For 2026, she noted that only ₱53.26 billion was included in the National Expenditure Program, despite certifications from the BIR and BOC showing that ₱69.78 billion should have been allocated by law.

    Cayetano, who is the Committee on Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs), Innovation, and Futures Thinking Chairperson, also stressed the need to align the health budget with SDG 3: Good Health and Well-Being, calling for better hospital infrastructure, more health workers, and interventions to reduce out-of-pocket expenses. She likewise acknowledged the recent Cebu earthquake and urged DOH to record its response and mobilize volunteers.