New Leadership for Philippines' Tax Bureau
President Ferdinand "Bongbong" Marcos Jr. has officially appointed Charlito Martin "Charlie" Mendoza as the new commissioner of the Bureau of Internal Revenue (BIR). The appointment marks a significant leadership change in the country's primary tax collection agency.
Mendoza took his oath of office during a simple ceremony held on Thursday, November 13, 2025, at the Study Room of Malacañan Palace. He replaces former commissioner lawyer Romeo Lumagui Jr., taking over the crucial role of leading the government's main revenue-generating body.
Impressive Professional Background
The new BIR commissioner brings a strong educational and professional foundation to his position. Mendoza earned his law degree from San Beda University, where he demonstrated exceptional academic performance by placing third in the 2004 Bar exams.
His educational qualifications also include a geodetic engineering degree from the University of the Philippines, giving him a unique technical background among tax administration leaders. This combination of legal and engineering expertise positions him well for the complex challenges of modern tax collection.
Proven Track Record in Revenue Collection
Prior to his appointment as BIR commissioner, Mendoza served as undersecretary of the Department of Finance's Revenue Operations Group. In this capacity, he oversaw both the BIR and the Bureau of Customs (BOC), working to ensure the government met its critical revenue targets.
His most notable achievement came during his tenure as district collector at the BOC's Port of Cebu from July 2019 to October 2022. Under his leadership, the port recorded its highest revenue collections in history while simultaneously improving border protection measures.
Mendoza's management excellence was further demonstrated when the Port of Cebu became the first customs district to achieve ISO 9001:2015 certification for both its main port and all subports. This international quality management certification reflects his commitment to operational excellence and standardized processes.
The appointment comes at a crucial time for the Philippines' economic recovery, with the government relying heavily on efficient tax collection to fund national development programs. Mendoza's proven ability to enhance revenue collection while maintaining quality standards makes him well-suited to lead the BIR through current fiscal challenges.
