New BIR chief urged to settle Marcos estate tax case ‘once and for all’

The new chief of the Bureau of Internal Revenue (BIR) should settle “once and for all” the tax liabilities of the Marcos family, a former BIR head said, after President Ferdinand “Bongbong” Marcos, Jr. appointed Romeo Lumagui, Jr. as the new commissioner of the country’s main tax collection agency.

“Hanggang ‘di ‘yan nareresolve, parang there’s a sword hanging behind you,” former BIR Commissioner Kim Henares said, referring to the P203-billion estate tax liability of the Marcos family.

Henares said the tax liability could be resolved through the courts or through settlement with the BIR.

Lumagui, who took his oath on Tuesday, November 15, replaced Lilia Catris Guillermo, who held the post since June this year.

Malacañang did not explain why Guillermo was replaced.

In June, just days after her appointment was announced, Guillermo said she would ask Marcos to be a “role model” if the BIR pursued the estate tax case against his family.

In September, Marcos said his family’s tax case should be opened, even as the Supreme Court already issued a final ruling decades ago.

A few months before he stepped down, former President Rodrigo Duterte also “called the attention” of the BIR to address the Marcos family’s estate tax case.

Meanwhile, the Tax Management Association of the Philippines (TMAP) said it doesn’t see any disruption to the operations of the BIR with the change of leadership in the agency.

“May mga systems in place naman sila na it’s not dependent on the person na nasa taas,” Elenaor Roque, TMAP ex-president, said.

However, Roque said Lumagui could “set the tone” for the agency, like going after corruption, for instance.