Look at the bigger picture, Palace tells doctors’ group

Communications Secretary Herminio Coloma. INQUIRER FILE PHOTO

MANILA, Philippines – Malacañang on Tuesday said that professional organizations should look at the bigger picture when it comes to the Bureau of Internal Revenue’s (BIR’s) tax campaign advertisements.

“We urge them to look at the bigger picture,” Communications Secretary Herminio Coloma said in a televised press briefing. “The picture is that we need more tax collections to be able to fund our economic development programs.”

Coloma acknowledged that professional organizations may have different ideas with the BIR’s so-called “name-and-shame” advertisements. He said the groups should sit down with the bureau and come up with a “win-win approach.”

“I’m certain that in their hearts they want to contribute. They can talk about it if they have different views,” he said.

The Secretary called on the “civic spirit” of the people, pointing out that the advertisements are a “persuasive” and not just a punitive method.

The Philippine Medical Association (PMA) earlier complained that the BIR’s recent print advertisement showing a doctor riding piggyback on a female teacher portrayed doctors as tax cheats.

The PMA said it puts doctors in a bad light as it stressed that the group does not tolerate tax cheats.

However, BIR Commissioner Kim Henares said the campaign ad was based on actual complaints against physicians who are not issuing receipts. She also said there is a large discrepancy between taxes paid by doctors and their estimated incomes.

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