FICCI Hosts BIR Commissioner Mendoza to Discuss New Tax Audit Systems
The Federation of Indian Chambers of Commerce (Phil.) Inc. officially launched the new Board’s first event, “Keeping it Fair: BIR’s New Systems for Tax Audit,” on March 24, 2026 at Dusit Thani Manila. The evening brought together key public and private sector leaders to discuss the future of modernized tax audits in the Philippines.
The program opened with remarks from Ambassador Harsh Kumar Jain, who reaffirmed the India in Philippines (Embassy of India, Manila)’s continued support, followed by insights from Mr. George Barcelon of ASEAN BAC Philippines, who emphasized how the Bureau of Internal Revenue’s digital transformation and adoption of AI align with the Philippines’ ASEAN Chairship priorities.
FICCI President Vishal Hathiramani shared the Board’s early milestones, highlighting strengthened government engagement and the continued growth of the FICCI community through new member additions.
A key highlight of the evening was the keynote address of Bureau of Internal Revenue Philippines Commissioner Charlito Mendoza, who presented the BIR’s DARES Agenda and called for active industry collaboration in shaping audit frameworks and digital tax policies.
The discussion was further enriched through a high-level panel featuring BIR Deputy Commissioners Marissa O. Cabreros, CESO III and Atty. Larry M. Barcelo, alongside Rommel T. Geocaniga of Reyes Tacandong & Co. (RT&Co.), the event’s Principal Sponsor.
As the Principal Sponsor’s representative, Atty. Geocaniga stood out by delivering clear, practical, and forward-looking perspectives from the private sector. His insights on key issues such as Third-Party Information validation and the Ease of Paying Taxes Act added depth to the discussion, bridging regulatory direction with real-world business impact and reinforcing the importance of collaboration between the BIR and the business community.
FICCI continues to serve as a vital platform for this dialogue, ensuring that its members remain informed, engaged, and well-represented as the BIR advances toward a more transparent, efficient, and globally competitive tax environment.
#FICCI #BIR #IndiaPhilippines #ASEAN2026 #TaxCompliance #DARES #PublicPrivatePartnership
