BIR investigates official caught ‘sleeping’ during office hours

An official of the Pasig office of the Bureau of Internal Revenue is being investigated for allegedly sleeping during office hours, GMA-7's "24 Oras" reported on Monday. 

 

Marge Caparas, president of a non-governmental organization, took photos of Alejandro San Juan, chief of the assessment division who appeared to be taking a nap while a member of his staff seemed to be plucking gray hairs from his head.

She then posted the photos on her Facebook account. The photos have since gone viral. 

 

 

 

According to Caparas, she went to BIR Pasig in the morning to fix some documents only to find out that San Juan, the official supposed to sign her papers, usually arrives by lunch time, his staff said. 

 

"Naka-close kasi iyong mga mata niya tapos may assistant siya sa likod was picking something from his head. So I don't know. May tweezer siya eh. Nagpapabunot ba siya ng puting buhok or anything," she explained. 

 

The viral post has since reached Malacañang and BIR Commissioner Kim Henares. 

 

Presidential Spokesperson Edwin Lacierda even left a comment on the post conveying Henares' statement that investigations into the matter have already started. 

 

"We would like to thank the people concerned for helping us make sure our people do their job by helping us monitor them by providing us with actionable information. To our people, we would like to remind them that we should perform our work efficiently and diligently as this is what we have sworn to do, and we are all accountable to doing so," Lacierda said, quoting the BIR commissioner. 

 

On Monday, a team from the investigation division of the BIR went to the Pasig office with a show-cause order.

 

The team has also started reviewing CCTV camera footage from the office. 

 

"Walang sisinuhin. Kung ano ang tama, iyon ang gagawin namin," said Elmer Carolino of the BIR Regional Investigation Division. 

 

Government offices have a No Noon Break Policy to improve efficiency in the delivery of services. 

 

If it will be proven that San Juan broke government policies, he may be terminated from the job. 

 

GMA News tried to get his side but he refused to comment on the issue. 

 

On the other hand, his colleagues at the ISO-certified BIR Pasig are dismayed that their entire office is being dragged into the matter. 

 

"I really have no problem with BIR's policy, the process and everything, how the taxes are collected, kung ano pa ang penalty charges--wala naman akong problema doon. Ang problema ko was the work ethic of the person who assisted me," Caparas said. 

 

Results of the investigation will be released before the week ends.
— Trisha Macas/JDS, GMA News