Lifestyle check for BIR personnel

The Bureau of Internal Revenue should start its lifestyle check in its own backyard. A case in point is BIR medical division’s Dr. Maria Fe Pizarro.

In an article titled “Thieves take P2M from QC house” (Inquirer, 1/2/12), it was reported that Pizarro and husband Alfred Jarencio lost to burglars at their Quezon City residence more than P2 million worth of cash and expensive items as follows:

1. Some P200,000 in cash;

2. Five wristwatches worth P500,000;

3. Seven Louis Vuitton bags valued at P800,000;

4. A Sony video camera worth P60,000;

5. Passports and important documents; and

6. Other valuables

Pizarro must be making piles and piles of money from the BIR to have acquired a house and lot at a gated subdivision and the above-mentioned lost items, which I am sure may not be explained by her income at the BIR. Not included are the cars and real estate properties in the spouses’ name.

I therefore call on Internal Revenue Commissioner Kim Henares to cause a lifestyle check on Pizarro. In addition, I urge her to release to the public those BIR personnel who have pending lifestyle cases and those terminated—whether dismissed or found guilty—in the name of transparency. Anyway, the presumption of innocence still applies to those charged.

—F. CARMELO J. AQUINO,

111 Esteban Mayo St.,

Lipa City