President Rodrigo Roa Duterte reiterated his commitment to lead a government free of corruption as he graced the celebration of the 113th founding anniversary of the Bureau of Internal Revenue (BIR) on August 2, Wednesday.

“Ito lang masasabi ko sa inyo. ‘Yung kinolekta ninyo na pera para sa bayan, mapunta talaga sa bayan. Sigurado ‘yan,” Duterte said in his speech at the BIR national office in Quezon City.

The Chief Executive also pledged that his administration would not tolerate dubious transactions.

“I assure you that you will never hear a story about us going into transactions or ‘yung mga overpriced, overpriced,” Duterte said.

“I will not allow it. I will never allow it. ‘Yan lang kasi ipagyabang ko sa tao,” he said.

The President said he would never ask a favor for himself or for anybody.

“I’ve never signed any voucher for any meal allowance. Ang kinukuha ko lang po diyan sweldo lang,” he said.

President Duterte also expressed his gratitude to BIR officials and employees for their service.

“Gusto ko lang sabihin sa inyo na salamat po sa tulong ninyo sa akin,” he said.

The President also noted that the work force of the BIR has been doing a “great job.”

Also present in the event were Executive Secretary Salvador Medialdea, Department of Finance Secretary Carlos Dominguez, Department of Education Secretary Leonor Briones, Chief Presidential Legal Counsel Salvador Panelo, and BIR Commissioner Caesar Dulay. ### PND