The Department of Finance (DOF) is stepping up its campaign against corruption in revenue collection, tightening oversight and strengthening coordination across key government units responsible for safeguarding public funds.
In a statement released Friday, the DOF said it is enhancing collaboration between the Revenue Integrity Protection Service (RIPS) and the Revenue Operations Group (ROG) as part of broader reforms aimed at building a more transparent and accountable revenue system.
“This collaboration is necessary to build a stronger, more transparent revenue system — one where corruption cannot thrive,” Finance Secretary Frederick Go said.
Go emphasized that protecting public funds remains a top priority, noting that the government is determined to ensure every peso collected from taxpayers is used responsibly.
“Hindi natin hahayaang masayang ang bawat pisong pinaghirapan ng ating mga mamamayan. Kaya sisiguraduhin naming mas mabisa ang monitoring, mas mabilis ang pamamahagi ng impormasyon, at mas maayos ang pagpapatupad ng mga patakaran,” he said.
The Revenue Integrity Protection Service serves as the DOF’s primary anti-corruption arm. It is tasked with preventing, detecting, and investigating irregularities in revenue collection through lifestyle checks and fact-finding investigations to ensure that officials and employees do not accumulate wealth beyond what their lawful income can justify.
Meanwhile, the Revenue Operations Group supervises the operations of the government’s revenue-generating agencies, including the Bureau of Internal Revenue (BIR) and the Bureau of Customs (BOC), ensuring that collection systems operate efficiently and in accordance with established rules.
According to the DOF, both RIPS and the ROG are now closely monitoring compliance with the BIR’s updated guidelines on the issuance of Letters of Authority. The measure aims to improve transparency in tax audits while minimizing opportunities for abuse, corruption, and revenue leakage.
“Through vigilant monitoring, lifestyle checks, and coordinated action, we remain committed to ensuring that public funds are collected lawfully, efficiently, and with integrity for the benefit of the Filipino people,” Go said.
Meanwhile, the Department of Justice (DOJ) is also strengthening its own anti-corruption initiatives through a new partnership with the University of the Philippines National College of Public Administration and Governance (UP NCPAG).
On Thursday, the DOJ convened its first Anti-Corruption Workshop and Summit, bringing together officials from its attached agencies and partner institutions to craft a unified roadmap for integrity and governance reforms.
The event was led by Justice Secretary Frederick Vida and UP NCPAG Dean Dr. Kristoffer Berse.
In his keynote address, Ombudsman Jesus Crispin Remulla underscored the broader implications of corruption on democratic institutions.
“Corruption is not just an administrative issue or a legal problem; it is a threat to democracy itself,” Remulla said.
“It erodes trust in government. It weakens institutions. Accountability is justice, accountability is how we restore public trust,” he added.
Participants at the summit also took part in a Gallery Walk showcasing anti-corruption initiatives from various agencies, a symbolic Tree of Commitment where officials pledged concrete reforms, and a roadmap workshop led by UP NCPAG’s Governance Reform, Innovation and Transformation Collaboratory.
The DOJ said the summit will be institutionalized as a continuing platform for collaboration, monitoring, and innovation, ensuring that integrity-building initiatives remain sustained, measurable, and responsive to emerging governance challenges.
