MANILA — The Department of Finance (DOF) announced that it will intensify anti-corruption measures to ensure more transparent and effective revenue administration.

Finance Secretary Frederick Go said the DOF is strengthening coordination between its anti-corruption arm, the Revenue Integrity Protection Service (RIPS), and the Revenue Operations Group (ROG).

“This collaboration is necessary to build a stronger, more transparent revenue system — one where corruption cannot thrive,” Go said.

He added in Filipino: “Hindi natin hahayaang masayang ang bawat pisong pinaghirapan ng ating mga mamamayan. Kaya sisiguraduhin naming mas mabisa ang monitoring, mas mabilis ang pamamahagi ng impormasyon, at mas maayos ang pagpapatupad ng mga patakaran” (We will not let every peso our citizens have worked hard for go to waste. That is why we will ensure more effective monitoring, faster information distribution, and better implementation of policies).

RIPS is tasked with preventing, detecting, and investigating corruption in revenue collection, including lifestyle checks and fact-finding investigations of officials and employees. Meanwhile, ROG supervises operations of revenue agencies such as the Bureau of Internal Revenue (BIR) and the Bureau of Customs (BOC) to ensure efficient revenue administration.

The DOF said the two units are closely monitoring compliance with BIR guidelines on the issuance of Letters of Authority, aiming to reduce abuse, corruption, and revenue loss.

“Through vigilant monitoring, lifestyle checks, and coordinated action, we remain committed to ensuring that public funds are collected lawfully, efficiently, and with integrity for the benefit of the Filipino people,” Go said.

DOJ Holds Anti-Corruption Summit

Separately, the Department of Justice (DOJ) held its first-ever Anti-Corruption Workshop and Summit in partnership with the University of the Philippines National College of Public Administration and Governance (UP NCPAG).

DOJ Secretary Fredderick Vida and UP NCPAG Dean Dr. Kristoffer Berse led the event, which brought together all DOJ-attached agencies to craft an integrity and anti-corruption roadmap.

Ombudsman Jesus Crispin Remulla, in his keynote, emphasized: “Corruption is not just an administrative issue or a legal problem; it is a threat to democracy itself. It erodes trust in government. It weakens institutions. Accountability is justice, accountability is how we restore public trust.”

The summit featured a Gallery Walk of agency initiatives, a symbolic Tree of Commitment for pledges, and a roadmap workshop led by UP NCPAG’s Governance Reform, Innovation and Transformation Collaboratory.

The DOJ said the summit will now become a permanent platform for collaboration, monitoring, and innovation, ensuring integrity-building efforts remain sustained, measurable, and responsive to emerging challenges.