BIR eyes drive vs bets who failed to submit report on expenses

ZAMBOANGA CITY, Dec 18 (ZNS) – The Bureau of Internal Revenue (BIR) will conduct an aggressive campaign against candidates in the last two elections who failed to submits reports on their election expenses to the bureau.

Revenue District Officer Crecencio  Agad said that only about 1 percent of candidates who participated in the May 10 national elections and the Nov 25 special barangay polls submitted reports on their expenses.

All candidates are supposed to pay a 5 percent withholding tax on their expenses or purchases relative to the elections, regardless the nature of the polls.

A total of 72 candidates ran for the 20 elective positions in this city during the May 10 elections. These positions are for Mayor, Vice mayor, two representatives one each for District 1 and II and eight councilors each for the two districts in this city.

Comelec records also showed that a total of  2,929 candidates ran for elective position in  the city’s  98 barangay in special elections held last Nov 25.

Of this number 189 ran for barangay chairmen while 2,829 ran for kagawads.

“We are decided to penalize candidates who will fail to file their statements of expenditures in the two polls held in this city, “ Agad said.

He said that the bureau did not fail in informing candidates about their duty to file reports on defenses because this is a requirement in previous polls and all the candidates, new and old ones are aware of this law.

The deadline for the submission of their reports and payments of taxes dues will be December 26 or the week after next.

He has requested the Comelec to complete a list of all the candidates who ran for elections this year.(zns/fms)