Not enough celebrities among top taxpayers

A THIRD of the country’s “most trusted” celebrity endorsers were not among the Bureau of Internal Revenue’s (BIR) top taxpayers in 2013, the Department of Finance said in its latest “Tax Watch” advertisement published in a newspaper yesterday.

In yesterday’s advertisement, the department said “10 of the Top 32 most trusted endorsers of 2013 are not on the BIR Taxpayer List.” The most trusted endorsers’ list was based on a 2013 survey conducted by Stratpolls, Inc., now Data Advisors.

The survey results were based on popularity and consumer trust, not on actual pay, the department noted.

“The biggest stars ought to shine the brightest,” the advertisement read.

“Not all of us are celebrities. Every one of us can be nation builders. Stay vigilant. Stay critical.”

Male celebrities not on BIR’s Top 500 taxpayers are Richard Yap, Paulo Avelino, Enrique Gil and Zoren Legaspi. BIR previously sued Mr. Legaspi before the Department of Justice for alleged tax evasion.

Male endorsers who formed part of BIR’s list were Marvic “Vic” C. Sotto (53rd), Coco Martin (52nd), John Lloyd Cruz (15th), Daniel Padilla (443rd), Robin Padilla (190th), Piolo Pascual (14th), Vice Ganda ( 228th), Michael V ( 93rd), Willie Revillame ( 20th), Derek Ramsay (157th), Dingdong Dantes (101th) and top taxpayer Emmanuel “Manny” D. Pacquiao.

Among female endorsers, six of the 16 “most trusted” ones are not among the country’s taxpayers namely: Kathryn Bernardo, Maja Salvador, Carmina Villaroel, Julia Montes, Jodi Sta. Maria and Marian Rivera.

On the other hand, nine other endorsers made it to BIR’s top taxpayer list: Kris Aquino (16th), Anne Curtis (36th), Sarah Geronimo ( 99th), Judy Anne Santos ( 44th), Kim Chiu ( 205th), Angel Locsin ( 261st), Sharon Cuneta ( 19th), Ai- Ai Delas Alas ( 317th), KC Concepcion (237th) and Toni Gonzaga (253rd).

Among the country’s top 500 taxpayers, BIR noted only 39 are celebrities. —