Tax Cut 17: BIR vs. Physicians

The Bureau of Internal Revenue (BIR) made this paid advertisement that appeared in several national newspapers last weekend I think. 

Posting below some comments by doctors expressed in facebook, posted on my friend Dr. Jed Inciong's fb wall, except those from change.org petition and Dr. Calimag. My own discussion at the end. Other posters/images are also posted in fb, copy-pasting them here.

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(1) Change.org Petition (around March 2, 2014, initiated by Minerva Calimag)

The medical profession and all physicians are always portrayed as tax evaders by the BIR. The recent BIR Ad that appeared in the Manila Bulletin is certainly discriminatory of the medical profession. Many of us physicians pay our taxes diligently...should the indiscretions of a few be invoked to penalize the entire medical profession? Many physicians also work in the countryside and they are often overworked and compensated less...this overgeneralization on the part of the BIR certainly maligns the medical profession. We demand that the BIR retract this Ad and issue a public apology in all newspapers for this act.

(2) Butch Tamesis, March 4, 2014

This picture shows the PHYSICIAN in general as a burden to the TEACHER, a representative of the MASA. I wonder if the BIR has really thought about this carefully? BIR is actually inciting the masa to revolt against the doctors and blame them as the cause of their poverty. PAMPABIGAT KAMING MGA MANGGAGAMOT SA MGA MAHIHIRAP! 

Does BIR honestly believe this? I will not repeat what my colleagues have said already against the BIR, but just enlighten you about my sentiments. 

In plain language, I am saddened by your portrayal of me as a burden to the society. After so many years of hard work, and sacrifice to help Filipinos (in general), I now live comfortably, able to sustain my family's needs. And this is how you treat me, as a burden to society!? My parent's left me with a wonderful name, a name I am constantly taking good care of. After my father died, the clinic he left was in shambles as his practice had diminished since he got sick. My sisters and I slowly picked up the pieces and built it back to its old glory. The taxes we pay the government ( yearly business tax, machinery tax, real property tax, tax on improvement, garbage tax, sanitation tax, fire and hazard tax), monthly SSS, Philhealth, Pag-Ibig contributions, VAT (not ours anyway since we collect it for the government) is so much that we barely have savings for the clinic on infrastructure improvements.

My clinic is a medical clinic, not a business enterprise, and yet the instruments to make my skills viable is taxed so much that I have no way of recovering the cost unless I charge my patients for its use. A lot of times I don't charge my patients since they cannot afford it. Medicines I prescribe are also taxed exorbitantly by government (i thought the government is pro people?). Electricity and water, and my gasoline expenses have been constantly going up. I am forced to buy electric fans and air conditioners to make my patients comfortable. That adds to my cost of electricity. And you Commissioner Henares and the BIR look at me as a burden to society???!

I have nothing else to say to you, no threats, no dirty finger, no nothing. At my senior age, I am no longer as violent as I was when i was younger since I saw the futility of being a hot head. I am done with that. But I would HUMBLY and RESPECTFULLY ask you to take a second look at this disgusting picture you have portrayed my profession to be. Please take it back because it slaps every physician (guilty or not) on the face. Prosecute these erring physicians, businessmen, lawyers, etc. but please, do not generalize because even JOSE RIZAL OUR NATIONAL HERO IS ALSO GETTING THE HEAT.

My comment comes from the heart, and I feel it every time I read it. Considering the amount of time I spend treating and caring for my patients, sometimes to the point of giving them free consult (in the clinic, by text, or by phone call anytime of the day,or by email) and medicine if they cannot afford it, I get this distasteful ad from BIR. I cannot NOT take it personally!

And the comments of some people against the doctors also hurt. But it does not matter. What matters most is one, our guilty colleagues must change their ways, and two, BIR must also take it back.

(3) Jed Inciong, March 3, 2014

Much like the persecution of jews in Nazi Germany. Our Doctors are being made "whipping boys" and scapegoats for a flawed income tax collection system. Our physicians are being portrayed as contemptuous cheaters.

All said, it pains me to admit I may have made the wrong choice to stay and practice medicine here in my beloved "Inang Bayan" katangi-tanging Pilipinas!
Ninais na manilbihan sa mga kababayang nangangailangan, kahit na higit na mas malaki ang kikitain sa ibang bayan. Dahil sa pagmamahal sa Bayang tinubuan!