To mark the launch of the Bureau of Internal Revenue’s (BIR) “2025 Regional Tax Campaign,” a handful of celebrities were recognized by the tax bureau on Tuesday, for their exemplary tax compliance.
On Tuesday, March 4, the BIR - Revenue Region 7A honored the top celebrity taxpayers in 2024. The BIR’s “Tax Campaign Kick-Off” was held at a mall in Quezon City, where several personalities were recognized and included in the top taxpayer roster.
Among the celebrities recognized, Vice Ganda was honored as the top celebrity taxpayer in BIR Quezon City for 2024.
In a speech, Vice underscored the importance of paying one’s taxes, as it would be utilized to uplift the Filipinos’ quality of life. However, the noontime show host also emphasized how Filipinos also have the right to demand transparency from the tax bureau, so that they are aware of how their money is utilized.
“At matapos nating magbayad ng buwis, karapatan din nating obligahin ang mga hahawak ng mga buwis na ibinabayad natin,” he said.
The actor-host added that paying taxes is an obligation, not a privilege and that people must comply with it.
“Hindi ito pribilehiyo, ito ay obligasyon. Kaya kung obligasyon natin ang magbayad, karapatan din natin na obligahin ang mga tatanggap at gagamit ng perang ibinabayad natin. Dahil hindi madali kung paano natin kinita ang ipambabayad natin ng buwis, at lahat po tayo nagbabayad ng buwis,” Vice Ganda said in a speech uploaded on Facebook.
He furthered that people pay taxes all the time, like when they buy something from retail or convenience stores. This is why people also have the right to question the tax bureau where their taxes go.
Although it is the BIR’s mission to collect the money and use it for nation-building and uplifting the lives of the Filipino people, Vice Ganda highlighted the importance of questioning how these funds are being utilized for government projects.
“Karapatan natin kumuwestyon at magsalita at bumoses dahil pera po natin ang ginamit doon. Kaya lahat po tayo obligasyon nating magbayad ng buwis dahil tayo rin naman ang makikinabang dyan,” the celebrity said.
Subsequently, Julia Barretto was named the second top celebrity taxpayer at the event. Photos of the actress from the ceremony were shared by Viva Artists Agency on Instagram.
“Julia Barretto receives an award for being the second-highest taxpayer in Quezon City at the BIR Quezon City Tax Campaign Kickoff,” her agency posted on Instagram.
View this post on Instagram
Meanwhile, Kathryn Bernardo was also among the top celebrities recognized by the government body. Although the actress was unable to accept the award in person due to prior work commitments, she expressed her gratitude to the tax bureau through a video message.
“As a Filipino, it is a responsibility to pay taxes on time, even us actors are no exception
View this post on Instagram
Meanwhile, other celebrities who were recognized are Kim Chiu, Darren Espanto, Daniel Padilla, Jennylyn Mercado, Dennis Trillo, Dingdong Dantes, and Catriona Gray.
Bea Alonzo was also honored by the tax bureau but was unable to attend the event. She instead sent a video message, thanking the government body.
