Recto says BIR in good hands under Mendoza as commissioner, thanks Lumagui

Finance Secretary Ralph Recto on Thursday expressed gratitude to former Bureau of Internal Revenue (BIR) Commissioner Romeo "Jun" Lumagui Jr. as he assured the public that the country's main revenue generating agency is in good hands under Department of Finance (DOF) Undersecretary Charlito "Charlie" Mendoza as the new chief of the taxman.

"I thank Commissioner Jun for being a great partner and a fearless leader in our shared effort to ensure a reliable revenue flow for our people and to reform the tax system. Under his leadership, we have seen a stronger and more credible BIR. Nagpapasalamat ako sa kaniyang mahusay at tapat na paglilingkod sa sambayanang Pilipino (I thank him for his exemplary and honest service to the Filipino people)," Recto said in a statement.

President Ferdinand "Bongbong" Marcos Jr. has replaced Lumagui as commissioner of the BIR, appointing Mendoza to take over the helm of the tax collection bureau, according to the appointment paper dated November 12, 2025. 

"Rest assured, the BIR is in good hands as Commissioner Charlie will uphold the same integrity and excellence he has exemplified," the Finance chief said.

Recto, meanwhile, said that since his appointment in 2022, Lumagui led the BIR to consistently exceed its revenue targets.

In 2024 alone, the BIR's collections grew 13.29% to P2.85 trillion. 

As of January to September 2025, the taxman's revenues rose by 10.88% year-on-year to P2.32 trillion.

Recto said that Lumagui, during his stint at the BIR, had championed the taxman's Digital Transformation (DX) Program, which modernized tax administration, streamlined processes, and strengthened taxpayer compliance. 

Among the flagship initiatives under this program is the Online Registration and Update System (ORUS), a web-based platform providing end-to-end registration and taxpayer information management.

To strengthen enforcement activities, Lumagui also spearheaded the roll-out of the Run After Fake Transactions (RAFT) drive, where he filed civil, criminal, and administrative cases against sellers, users, and professionals involved in the sale and use of ghost receipts.

Lumagui likewise intensified the bureau's crackdown on the illicit trade of excisable goods such as cigarettes and vapes, further safeguarding government revenues and ensuring a fair and level playing field for legitimate businesses.

Building on the BIR's strong foundation, Recto expressed his confidence in the new BIR commissioner, describing Mendoza as a "steady hand and reform-driven leader."

"We will miss Usec. Charlie at the DOF, but I believe the BIR needs him more at this time. I trust that under his leadership, the BIR will meet and even exceed our revenue targets. Above all, I trust that he will always keep the well-being of our taxpayers at the heart of all your efforts," the Finance chief said.

As DOF undersecretary for the Revenue Operations Group since April 2024, Recto said Mendoza led the "BRAVE" campaign to put an end to smuggling and illicit trade, with digitalization playing a central role. 

BRAVE stands for Border Security Enhancement, Revenue Collection and Revenue-Base Protection, Adaptive Regulations and Compliance Monitoring, Vigilant Enforcement Operations and Vigorous Intelligence Gathering Activities, and Effective Engagement with Stakeholders and Inter-Agency Cooperation.

With BRAVE in place, Recto said the DOF exceeded its revenue collection target in 2024, reaching P4.42 trillion or equivalent to 16.7% of gross domestic product (GDP), "the highest in 27 years."

Prior to his appointment in DOF, Mendoza served as District Collector for the BOC Port of Cebu from July 2019 to October 2022. 

Mendoza also held positions such as founding partner of the Palafox Patriarca Romero and Mendoza Law Firm and associate lawyer at the Angara Abello Concepcion Regala and Cruz Law Offices (ACCRALAW) and the Suarez and Narvasa Law Firm. — VDV, GMA Integrated News