BIR chief gives doc a dose of his own prescription

Alack, that’s one for the Guinness World Records: a doctor given a dose of his own prescription!

Of course, I am referring to the headline news saying Internal Revenue Commissioner Kim Henares slapped tax evasion charges against Philippine Medical Association president Dr. Leo Olarte (“Doc who railed vs BIR shame campaign nailed on tax raps,” News, 3/28/14) after the latter challenged the former to file a case against a doctor she knows is not paying the right taxes.

Methinks that challenge was not only unnecessary but also uncalled for.  To put it more bluntly, it was clearly stupid!  It is a matter of plain common sense that Olarte was definitely not privy as to who among the PMA members had been paying or not paying their income tax; chances are he may not even personally know all of them.  So, why challenge someone like Henares who, having full and absolute control of practically the whole country’s tax records, should appear more credible before the public?

At any rate, Doctor Olarte is also a lawyer and should know how to handle these truly unfortunate circumstances. I sincerely wish him all the luck there is on Planet Earth.

—RUDY L. CORONEL,

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