Senator Binay wants BIR ad against doctors probed

Senator Nancy Binay. INQUIRER FILE PHOTO

MANILA, Philippines – Senator Nancy Binay is seeking an investigation into the Bureau of Internal Revenue’s (BIR) controversial tax campaign advertisement depicting doctors as a burden to other tax payers.

“I am urging my fellow senators to look into whether the portrayal of doctors as a burden to other tax payers in the print ad was done in bad taste,” Binay said in a statement on Wednesday.

She said she would file a resolution calling on the appropriate committees in the Senate to look into the matter.

“Kahit po may mga reports ng mga doktor na hindi nagbibigay ng resibo sa mga pasyente nila, tama po ba na mag-generalize ang BIR at gamitin silang example ng mga hindi nagbabayad ng tamang buwis? Matatawag ho ba na responsableng paga-advertise ito?” Binay asked.

(Even if there are reports about doctors who do not issue receipts to their patients, is it right for the BIR to generalize and use them as an example of those who are not paying  the right taxes?  Can we call this responsible advertising?)

“I think we should investigate how the ad was conceptualized—saan po ba nanggaling ang desisyon na ngayon ay ikinalulungkot ng ating mga doctor? (Where did this decision come from that saddens our doctors now)” the senator further asked.

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