PMA president: ‘We are not tax evaders’

PMA President Leo O. Olarte, M.D. Photo from www.philippinemedicalassociation.org photo

MANILA, Philippines—The Philippine Medical Association (PMA) on Tuesday decried the latest advertisement of the Bureau of Internal Revenue (BIR) portraying doctors as tax evaders.

“The BIR should stop this negative campaign against professionals especially doctors.  The strategy of the BIR to collect taxes is not right. Let us be professional and honorable, especially when dealing with professionals,” PMA President Dr. Leo Olarte said in an interview on Inquirer Radio 990AM.

The latest controversial print ad showed a teacher carrying on her shoulders a doctor who paid lesser taxes despite having higher income.

The ad that appeared in the Philippine Daily inquirer had a caption, “When you don’t pay your taxes, you’re a burden to those who do.”

Olarte said the BIR should change the campaign into a positive strategy.

“PMA is composed of noble, patriotic and honest doctors. We are not tax evaders. We are busy giving free services to charity patients,” he said.

He added that doctors depend on their accountants to check on their taxes.

“If there is any difference, we are ready to pay accurately and promptly,” he said.

According to him, the BIR should instead make sure that taxes used for infrastructure projects are used reasonably without graft and corruption.

“The ad was demeaning. It was a sweeping statement,” he said.

BIR Commissioner Kim Henares in a television interview meanwhile said they are not singling out doctors since the print ad pertains to all professionals that do not pay correct amount of taxes.

Henares clarified that the advertisement was about those who do not pay the right taxes to be ashamed for those people who pay the right taxes.

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