THE House Tri Comm is set to examine the tax compliance and financial transparency of social media influencers and vloggers, with the Bureau of Internal Revenue (BIR) expected to provide insights during the panel’s second hearing this Tuesday, February 18.
BIR Commissioner Romeo Lumagui Jr. and members of his team are among those invited by the Committees on Public Order and Safety, Information and Communications Technology, and Public Information, which are investigating the proliferation of “fake news” online and whether digital personalities are properly declaring their income.
Laguna Rep. Dan Fernandez, overall chair of the Tri Comm, underscored the need to determine whether digital personalities properly declare their income and fulfill their tax obligations.
He said the hearing is part of a broader effort to ensure fairness in taxation as online content creation continues to be a lucrative industry.
“We are not only looking into the spread of disinformation but also ensuring that these influencers and vloggers comply with tax regulations,” Fernandez, chairman of the House Committee on Public Order and Safety, said.
“Hihilingin natin sa vloggers na isumite nila ang kanilang ITRs para masuri ng BIR,” Fernandez said.
“If they are earning from their content, whether through ads, sponsorships, or monetization schemes, then they should be paying their fair share of taxes like any other income earner,” he pointed out.
Among those invited to appear are Trixie Cruz-Angeles, Krizette Laureta Chu, Mark Anthony Lopez, Joie De Vivre (Elizabeth Joie Cruz), Banat By (Lord Byron Cristobal), MJ Quiambao Reyes, Lorraine Marie Badoy-Partosa, Sass Rogando Sasot, Joe Smith Medina (Political Witch Boy), Claire Eden Contreras (Maharlika Boldyakera), Jeffrey Almendras Celiz (Eric Celiz), Manuel Mata Jr. (Kokolokoy), Jonathan Morales, Cyrus Preglo (Optics Politics), Alex Destor (Tio Moreno), Atty. Glenn Chong, Darwin Salceda (Boss Dada TV), Elmer Jugalbot (Eb Jugalbot), Ethel Pineda Garcia, Julius Melanosi Maui (Maui Spencer), Suzanne Batalla (IamShanwein), Jeffrey G. Cruz (JCCO / JJ Cruz), Marc Louie Gamboa, Ramon Gerardo San Luis, Kester Ramon John Balibalos Tan (Mr. Realtalker), Edwin Jamora (Reyna Elena), George Ahmed Paglinawan (Luminous by Trixie & Ahmed), Mary Catherine Diaz Binag, MJ Mondejar, Ma Florinda Espenilla-Duque (Pebbles Duque), Ryan Lingo, Ross Flores Del Rosario (Wazzup Philippines), and among others.
These influencers have built substantial online followings and generate income through various platforms, including Facebook, YouTube, TikTok and Instagram.
Tri Comm members will question how they monetize their content and whether they are fully compliant with tax laws.
Philippine Coast Guard (PCG) spokesperson for the West Philippine Sea Commodore Jay Tarriela was also invited and other officials from the Anti-Monetary Laundering Council (AMLC), Cybercrime Investigation and Coordinating Center (CICC), Department of Information and Communications and Technology (DICT), Department of Justice (DoJ), National Bureau of Investigation (NBI), National Telecommunications Commission (NTC), Philippine National Police (PNP), PNP-Anti-Cybercrime Group, and PNP Legal Service
Executives from Meta (Facebook, Instagram), Google (YouTube), and ByteDance (TikTok) have also been summoned to discuss platform monetization policies and whether they share earnings data with tax authorities.
Meta’s Genixon David, Google’s Atty. Yves Gonzalez, and ByteDance’s Peachy Paderna were invited to provide inputs.
The BIR previously issued a 2021 memorandum reminding social media influencers of their obligation to register, file tax returns and declare all income derived from digital platforms.
Fernandez said lawmakers will review whether additional measures are necessary to strengthen tax compliance.
The Tri Comm is considering new regulations that could mandate tax registration for online influencers, require social media platforms to report influencer earnings, and impose stricter penalties for non-compliance.
Fernandez reiterated that the inquiry is about ensuring accountability, not suppressing free speech.
“This is about transparency and fairness. If traditional media, businesses, and workers all pay taxes, then digital influencers who earn from public engagement should do the same,” he said.
The hearing this Tuesday will determine the next steps in the investigation, including potential legal actions against those who fail to comply with tax laws and show cause orders issued during the first hearing.
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