Department of Finance (DOF) Secretary Ralph Recto on Thursday welcomed former Department of Finance (DOF) Undersecretary Charlito Mendoza as the new head of the Bureau of Internal Revenue (BIR), replacing Commissioner Romeo Lumagui Jr.
Recto extended his deepest gratitude to Lumagui for his exemplary service to the Filipino people, saying that under the former commissioner's leadership, the BIR had become "stronger and more credible."
The Finance chief said he is confident the BIR is "in good hands" with Mendoza, who will uphold the same integrity and excellence.
President Ferdinand Marcos Jr. appointed Lumagui in November 2022. During his tenure, BIR collections consistently exceeded revenue targets. In 2024, collections rose 13.29 percent to P2.85 trillion.
BIR collections for January to September 2025 also rose 10.88 percent year-on-year to P2.32 trillion.
Lumagui championed the BIR's Digital Transformation (DX) program, which included the Online Registration and Update System (ORUS), a web-based platform for end-to-end registration and taxpayer information management.
He also spearheaded the Run After Fake Transactions (RAFT) drive, filing cases against those involved in the sale and use of ghost receipts, and intensified the crackdown on the illicit trade of excisable goods such as cigarettes and vapes.
Recto expressed confidence in Mendoza as new BIR chief, describing him as a "steady hand and reform-driven leader."
Recto said he trusts that under Mendoza's leadership, the BIR will meet and even exceed revenue targets while keeping the well-being of taxpayers at the heart of all efforts.
As DOF Undersecretary for the Revenue Operations Group since April 2024, Mendoza led the BRAVE campaign against smuggling and illicit trade, with digitalization playing a central role.
BRAVE stands for Border Security Enhancement, Revenue Collection and Revenue-Base Protection, Adaptive Regulations and Compliance Monitoring, Vigilant Enforcement Operations and Vigorous Intelligence Gathering Activities and Effective Engagement with Stakeholders and Inter-Agency Cooperation.
With BRAVE in place, the DOF exceeded its revenue collection target in 2024, reaching P4.42 trillion, equivalent to 16.7 percent of Gross Domestic Product, the highest in 27 years.
Prior to his DOF appointment, Mendoza served as district collector for the Bureau of Customs (BOC) Port of Cebu from July 2019 to October 2022. He ranked third in the 2004 Philippine Bar Exam after earning his Bachelor of Laws degree from San Beda University.