CNN PH and ANC quiz incoming BIR Chief Guillermo

CHEERS TO CNN Philippines’ The Final Word and ANC’s Headstart for their separate interviews with Lilia Guillermo, the President-elect’s choice to head the Bureau of Internal Revenue (BIR). 

On June 18, incoming press secretary Rose Beatrix “Trixie” Cruz-Angeles announced that President-elect Ferdinand Marcos, Jr. has chosen Guillermo, Bangko Sentral ng Pilipinas (BSP) Assistant Governor and former Bureau of Internal Revenue (BIR) Deputy Commissioner, to head the tax collection agency.

Following this development, Guillermo was interviewed in The Final Word on June 21, and in Headstart on June 22. Anchor Rico Hizon of CNN PH and Mike Navallo of ANC, sitting in for Karen Davila, did not beat around the bush and asked the right questions in the right manner. 

Hizon, a veteran also in international reporting, quizzed Guillermo repeatedly but with grace. “This is a different situation because many questions will be asked on the Marcos estate tax liability of PHP23 billion,” he correctly stated.

Guillermo said she has not yet read the pertinent documents, but if the case proves to be true, she said she will do what she can. Mentioning that the Supreme Court has issued a final and executory ruling, Hizon asked whether Guillermo has discussed the tax issue with Marcos Jr. himself. “Did you say that if I was to become the BIR Chief, I’d have to collect tax from you, my boss?” he asked with a friendly laugh.

Guillermo said that she would have to see the documents and collectible amount first, then she will have to talk to the President. Hizon then asked when Guillermo would read the documents and when she would  discuss this issue with the President-elect. This pushed Guillermo to answer that she would be discussing with the collection enforcement group and looking at the documents “two weeks later, in July.” She added that the amount to be collected will be a big help to the country.

Guillermo repeated her statements during her ANC interview. “Puwede ho ba maging role model kayo?’ ‘Yun ang magiging ano eh. The Marcoses will now pay their taxes because nag-comply sa batas. It came from the Supreme Court, it’s final and executory so, ‘yun lang naman ang sasabihin ko sa kanya pero I should have the correct data.” 

(Can you be a role model? The Marcoses will now pay their taxes because they must comply with the law. It came from the Supreme Court, it’s final and executorym so that’s what I will tell him but I need to have correct data first.)

Guillermo said she is hoping to see the documents next week, during which outgoing BIR officials are expected to turn over its leadership. 

Adding to the public’s knowledge, Navallo asked, “Explain to us how the process goes, assuming there is a final and executory judgment. Paano po ba ineenforce ng BIR ‘yun?” (How will the BIR enforce this matter?)

Guillermo explained that it depends on the value of the estate; collections will be in the form of cash, but depending on the amount, some properties would have to be sold by the BIR. She also said that many lawyers in the BIR know the process and the legal challenges that may arise.

Discussing court rulings and reviewing issues obscured by mis- and disinformation can sometimes be challenging. But CNN and ANC’s respective line of questioning are  welcome efforts in enabling the public to know the incoming appointees better, and in determining where their loyalties really lie.