MANILA — Ombudsman Boying Remulla has ordered intensified lifestyle checks on officials of the Bureau of Internal Revenue (BIR) and Bureau of Customs (BOC) following reports that some government collectors are demanding payments from businesses beyond legally prescribed fees.

Remulla announced the move during a dialogue with members of the Philippine Chamber of Commerce and Industry (PCCI) in Taguig on Friday, saying the initiative aims to address corruption affecting the business sector.

“May mga ulat kaming natatanggap na may ilang kolektor na humihingi sa mga negosyo nang higit sa itinakda ng batas, at ang sobra ay walang resibo. Linawin natin ito. Walang lehitimong bayad sa gobyerno na walang resibo. Bawat pisong ibabayad sa estado ay dapat may resibo. Ang bayad na walang resibo ay hindi buwis. Korapsyon iyan,” the Ombudsman declared.

“That is why I am announcing today that we will intensify our lifestyle checks on officials of the Bureau of Internal Revenue and the Bureau of Customs,” he added.

He said government revenues must serve the Filipino people rather than become a means for public officials to accumulate personal wealth.

“Sa ilan sa mga ulat na ito, mas malaki pa ang walang resibo kaysa sa may resibo. Isipin ninyo iyan. Mas malaki ang napupunta sa bulsa ng iilan kaysa sa kaban ng bayan. Dalawang beses nagbabayad ang negosyante, at wala pang kalahati ang napupunta sa bansa,” he said.

Officials whose lifestyles are disproportionate to their lawful earnings will be asked to account for their wealth, Remulla warned.

“If an officer lives far beyond what his salary allows, we will ask him to explain. If he cannot, we will act,” he said.

Remulla clarified that the initiative is not meant to target honest government employees but to safeguard public institutions and protect the reputation of personnel who perform their duties properly.

The announcement came as the Office of the Ombudsman consults the business community on the proposed establishment of an Investment Ombudsman, a permanent office dedicated to handling corruption complaints affecting businesses and investments.

“We are setting up an Investment Ombudsman: a permanent office within our Office, dedicated to complaints of graft and corruption that hurt business and investment. One door, one office that knows business, and one office that follows through,” Remulla said.

The proposed office will provide businesses with a dedicated channel for reporting alleged extortion, unnecessary delays in government transactions and retaliation against complainants.

The Ombudsman also announced plans to hold a regulatory summit starting January 2027, bringing together government regulators to review overlapping and conflicting rules, as well as regulatory gaps that could enable corrupt practices.

“Every unnecessary step is a place where someone can ask for money. Every contradiction is an opportunity for a fixer. Close the gap, and you close the opportunity,” he said.

Remulla said addressing regulatory weaknesses is particularly important as the country prepares for potential challenges to water, energy and agricultural resources, as well as emergency procurement requirements, amid the expected Super El Niño in 2027.