It's Showtime host Vice Ganda has been named as one of the top taxpayers in Quezon City. Handout/BIR

MANILA -- "It's Showtime" host Vice Ganda was again recognized as among the top taxpayers in Quezon City, together with other big celebrities like Kim Chiu, Dingdong Dantes and more. 

Bureau of Internal Revenue Commissioner Romeo Lumagui Jr. handed out the awards during the tax campaign kick-off of BIR Quezon City. He said it is important to partner with celebrities as these stars can also help influence the public into filing and paying the right taxes. 

“Kapag nagpapakita ang mga idolo natin na nagbabayad ng tamang buwis, tingin ko malaking bagay ito na makapaghikayat sa ating taxpayers na mag report at magbayad ng tamang buwis,” he said. 

Aside from Vice Ganda, other top taxpayers in Quezon City are Kim Chiu, Darren Espanto, Dingdong Dantes, Jennylyn Mercado, Dennis Trillo, Allen Dizon, Julia Barretto, Richard Reynoso, Jason Dy, Daniel Padilla, and Catriona Gray. Other awardees who weren’t able to attend the ceremony but sent video messages were Kathryn Bernardo, Piolo Pascual, Vic Sotto, and Joey de Leon. 

“May this award inspire other people na paying taxes is not just our duty, but this is also a contribution for a better country,” said Kim Chiu during her acceptance speech. 

Vice Ganda also urged the public to pay the proper taxes, but also said that Filipinos must always monitor where the taxes are going. 

“Obligado tayo magbayad ng buwis at dapat natin gawin yun,” Vice said. 

She added: “Pakatapos natin magbayad ng buwis, tatanungin natin nasaan na po ang quality of life? Nasaan na po ang projects? Nasaan po ang tulay? Bakit po bumagsak ang tulay sa Isabela?” 

Lumagui welcomed the statement of the TV host, saying he is happy that Vice is urging people to still pay taxes and that it is everyone’s right to know where the taxes go. 

“Sa sinabi ni Vice Ganda, sinabi niya na magbayad tayo kahit ano pa mangyari, pero tungkulin natin na bantayan din… Karapatan din naman natin na tingnan na nagagamit ang pondo sa tamang paraan,” said the BIR chief. 

Lumagui is confident of still hitting the tax collection target of P3.23 trillion this year, which is higher than the already record-high tax collection of P2.85 trillion last year.

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