(Photo from BIR Facebook page)
MANILA, Philippines – Newly appointed Bureau of Internal Revenue (BIR) Commissioner Rolando Ligon Jr. has pledged to intensify anti-corruption measures, improve taxpayer services and accelerate the agency’s digital transformation.
In a statement, Ligon said his administration would focus on strengthening transparency, simplifying tax compliance and restoring public confidence in the country’s tax collection system.
“My commitment to the Filipino people is clear: We will transform the BIR into a fully modernized, transparent, and service-oriented institution where technology empowers our tax collectors and simplifies compliance for every taxpayer, ensuring that trust in our tax system is earned and preserved,” Ligon said.
Ligon, a tax lawyer and certified public accountant, previously served as Department of Finance undersecretary for the Revenue Operations Group, where he oversaw policy implementation and performance monitoring for the BIR and Bureau of Customs.
He earned his law degree from Ateneo de Manila University, completed his accounting studies at De La Salle University and pursued graduate studies in tax policy through Harvard Law School’s International Tax Program.
The new BIR chief emphasized that the agency would assist taxpayers seeking to comply with their obligations while pursuing stricter enforcement against deliberate tax evasion.
“We will provide taxpayer assistance to those who want to comply but will apply the full force of the law to those who deliberately dodge payment of taxes,” he said.
“The public can count on me to focus on building public trust through administrative continuity, rigorous anti-corruption safeguards and technological upgrades.”
Ligon also committed to continuing the DARES reform framework introduced by his predecessor, Charlito Martin Mendoza Jr., in line with President Ferdinand Marcos Jr.’s directive to strengthen public trust in tax administration.
The five-point agenda covers Digital and Data Transformation, Audit Reform and Accountability, Revenue Collection and Base Protection, Employee Empowerment and Welfare Promotion, and Service Excellence and Stakeholder Engagement.
A major component of Ligon’s reform program is a five-year modernization plan targeting the bureau’s information technology infrastructure.
The initiative aims to upgrade computer systems, integrate data analytics across revenue district offices and improve digital services for taxpayers nationwide.
Ligon said modernizing the agency’s technology would help reduce administrative delays, strengthen data security and limit opportunities for corruption.
“Updating the BIR’s IT infrastructure is the backbone of our digital and data transformation strategy. By modernizing our computer systems, we will eliminate administrative bottlenecks, minimize room for corruption, ensure data integrity, and provide taxpayers with faster, more efficient digital channels,” he said.
The planned reforms are expected to improve tax collection efficiency, strengthen accountability among revenue personnel and make compliance procedures more accessible to individuals and businesses.
