BIR bats for higher salaries to fight graft and corruption

To eliminate graft and corruption within its ranks, the Bureau of Internal Revenue (BIR) is seeking to get an exemption from the Salary Standardization Law (SSL).

"The intention of the exemption from SSL – the thrust really of the Duterte administration – is to curb corruption at all levels. We have identified that salary plays a major role in the fight against corruption," BIR Deputy Commissioner Jesus Clint Aranas told reporters during a press conference in Quezon City on Tuesday.

"The BIR commissioner earns less salary than other government agencies. We have certified public accountants earning a net of P14,000, Aranas noted.

It is quite clear the bureau is in a situation that is prone to graft and corruption, he said.

Aside from discouraging graft and corrupt, a better salary scale will enable the bureau to attract competent employees to improve raise the level of its operations and collection, according to the deputy commissioner.

"We have to recognize that the only way we can hire the best of the best is to increase our salaries," he said.

The Republic Act 6758 or the Salary Standardization Law mandates a uniform salary rate for all government officials and employees, including those in uniform.

However, some state-owned corporations and financial institutions are exempted from the mandate.

The Tax Management Association of the Philippines (TMAP) has been rooting for BIR exemption from SSL coverage, said the group's President Benedict Tugonon .

"We have proposed this to the House of Representatives' and Senate's ways and means committees during various hearings we attended in 2016," Tugonon said.

"This will help in the recruitment of qualified employees with integrity, help professionalize the service, and reduce corruption," the TMAP official added.

To improve its tax collection efficiency, especially with the Duterte administration ramping up spending on infrastructure, BIR Commissioner Caesar Dulay said during the same press conference that the bureau needs to hire 11,000 employees.

"Hopefully, we can fill it up with the passage of the exemption from the salary standardization ... That will accelerate our hiring process and more will be interested to join us," Dulay said.

The BOC has filed the proposal in Congress earlier this month.

"We understand that the Speaker of the House will be authoring the bill and ... the Senate presidency is supporting this as well. So, probably this month we are hoping the bills will be filed already," Aranas said. — VS, GMA News