Law firms are not retail stores

People are frustrated, enraged and agitated that their hard-earned monies, grudgingly paid for taxes, were virtually put into ATMs for corrupt officials to withdraw at will. Internal Revenue Commissioner Kim Henares appears all gung-ho to collect more taxes while promising to go after those who stole billions via the Priority Development Assistance Fund (PDAF or, simply, pork barrel).

That is one promise no one seriously believes she or the present dispensation can fulfill. With “due process” being what it is in this country, it would probably take another lifetime, if at all, to see again the color of even just a tenth of the monies stolen. Henares is just a brave front for an abysmally dysfunctional government. She’s all bluster!

Lately, Henares has targeted lawyers (and physicians) in her renewed drive to raise more taxes (“BIR to require doctors to post rates in clinics,” Front Page, 9/4/13). She wants them to post the “prices” of their “professional products” prominently at their offices—just like any  sari-sari  store! Does she really believe that will increase tax collections, or did we miss something?

Apart from and regardless of whatever she was thinking, the Supreme Court has made it clear that the practice of law is “not a business.” Henares wants to convert law firms into retail stores?

—GEORGE DEL MAR,

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