The Bureau of Internal Revenue (BIR) has suspended all field audits and related enforcement operations—including the issuance of Letters of Authority (LOA), Mission Orders, and other audit directives—amid growing pressure from lawmakers to address alleged corruption and abusive practices within the agency.
In an exclusive interview with DZRH' Dos Por Dos, Department of Finance (DOF) Acting Secretary Frederick Go confirmed that the suspension was aligned with President Ferdinand Marcos Jr.’s instruction to identify ways to ease the burden on taxpayers and strengthen integrity throughout government processes.
The DOF chief emphasized that the temporary suspension is necessary to allow a “careful and comprehensive review” of all policies governing field audits.
“Kaya po natin sinuspinde muna ang pag-iisyu ng Letters of Authority at Mission Orders kasi kailangan nating gumawa ng isang careful at comprehensive review ng mga patakaran na ito. Dapat mayroon talagang probable cause bago ka pwedeng pumasok. Hindi naman puwedeng walang probable cause basta na lang papasok,” Go said.
“We really need a comprehensive review of the policies and procedures ng letters of authority,” he added.
The Mission Orders authorize BIR personnel to conduct surveillance, site inspections, and limited verification activities. Meanwhile, Letters of Authority (LOA), meanwhile, grant revenue officers permission to enter a business establishment and examine its books and documents.
Go acknowledged that while the BIR has the legal authority to scrutinize company records, these tools have, at times, been misused.
Long-standing complaints from taxpayers
According to Go, the concerns surrounding LOAs, Mission Orders, and field audits are not new.
“Itong isyu na ito, matagal na po itong binibring up ng tax payers,” Go noted.
“Isa sa mga unang tinignan namin, kinausap ko ang BIR si Commissioner Charlie Mendoza kung magagawan ng paraan na ma-resolve ang concerns at ilang reklamo ng taxpayers. Maganda naman po ang resulta,” he added.
Commissioner Mendoza himself, Go said, had been receiving reports from the public regarding alleged harassment linked to the issuance of LOAs and Mission Orders.
The acting finance chief reiterated the importance of protecting taxpayers—describing them as the foundation of government operations.
“Ang taxpayer ang nagbubuhay ng gobyerno,” Go stressed. “Kung walang taxpayer, walang programa ang gobyerno.”
He also underscored that the President’s directive was clear: government operations must adhere to the highest standards of integrity.
“Talagang malinaw ang utos ng Pangulo na kailangan natin ng good governance sa gobyerno,” Go said.
