Bong Go expresses full support to DOF budget; urges leadership to crack down on corrupt BOC, BIR officials and personnel

Senator Christopher "Bong" Go expressed his full support to the proposed budget of the Department of Finance during its budget hearing at the Senate on Wednesday, September 23. That said, the Senator also sounded a stern warning against corrupt personnel of the DOF's attached agencies, Bureau of Customs and Bureau of Internal Revenue, saying that "their days are numbered."

"I express my full support to the Department of Finance, headed by a very capable financial manager in Secretary Carlos Dominguez," Go said during his manifestation of support to the department.

The Senator further expressed his confidence to the leadership of DOF and remarked that the country's financial policies are in very capable hands with them at the helm.

"As the Philippines reels from the devastating effects of the pandemic not just on public health, but also on our economy and financial stability, it is important that the country's finances are managed properly and efficiently," Go explained.

"I am positive that we will see this crisis through and emerge stronger than ever," he added.

During the early phase of the community quarantine in the country in response to the pandemic, the DOF heeded the call of President Rodrigo Duterte and Go to assist small businesses that were forced to stop operations while many are only able to operate with skeletal forces as a result of the measure.

The department implemented the Small Business Wage Subsidy program which provided a wage subsidy monthly to eligible employees of small businesses to help mitigate the impact of the pandemic.

"Malaking bagay po sa ating mga kababayan 'yung SBWS program ng DOF. Habang sarado pa ang mga negosyo, 'yung subsidy na matatanggap nila ay makakatulong sa kanilang pang-araw-araw na gastos," Go said in an earlier statement.

In addition, the DOF has also secured funding from the Philippine Amusement and Gaming Corporation and Philippine Charity Sweepstakes Office to support the Department of Health in fighting COVID-19.

Earlier, the Senator also appealed to the DOF and the BIR to consider a one-month extension on the filing of Income Tax Returns and which can be extended further when necessary depending on the extent of the COVID-19 situation to assist affected taxpayers.

"Bigyan po natin ng palugit ang ating mga kababayang apektado ngayon. Maraming halos wala nang kita o kabuhayan ng isang buwan, hindi alam paano papakainin ang pamilya, hindi alam hanggang kailan magtatagal ang krisis. Tapos dadagdagan pa natin ang iniisip at aasikasuhin nila dahil sa tax requirements," Go explained.

In the hearing, Go thanked Finance Secretary Dominguez and the rest of DOF employees for their "diligence and perseverance in keeping the country afloat in the financial sense."

"Let us work together to strive for the betterment of our beloved country," encouraged Go.

Despite heaping praises on DOF, Go warned the corrupt personnel within its two attached agencies, BOC and BIR.

"However, let me also reiterate a warning to the corrupt in the BOC and the BIR. Sa mga corrupt dyan, your days are numbered," Go warned.

"The public will exact accountability and you will have your day of reckoning. We will not let you tarnish the laudable efforts of the good people in your agencies," he added.

Go further warned that the finance chief and commissioners of BOC and BIR should not let corruption take place in their respective agencies.

"Alam ko pong hindi papayag si Commissioner (Caesar) Dulay and Commissioner (Rey) Guerrero na may mga corrupt na lulusot diyan sa inyong ahensya and ,of course, si Secretary Sonny Dominguez, galit rin 'yan sa mga corrupt," Go said.

"Sa mga corrupt, ingat kayo. Bilang na mga araw ninyo," he added.