BIR exec probed for napping at work

MANILA, Philippines - An official of the Bureau of Internal Revenue office in Pasig City is under investigation after he was caught on camera reporting for work at noon and sleeping during work hours, BIR Commissioner Kim Henares said yesterday.

A photo of Alejandro San Juan, who heads the assessment division of BIR Revenue District Office 43-B in Pasig, showing him taking a nap after arriving at the office in time for lunch became viral on social media.

“The Quezon City regional office is undertaking an investigation on the matter. In one sense, this is very frustrating, but we must give the person due process,” Henares said in a phone interview yesterday.

She said San Juan continues to be on duty since there is no basis for him to be issued a preventive suspension order.

Henares urged the public to wait for the outcome of the investigation, wherein “penalties will be enforced if anyone’s at fault.”

San Juan could not be immediately reached for comment as of press time.

Marge Caparas’ photo was shared on a Facebook community page named “Kaya ‘Di Umuunlad Pilipinas (That’s Why the Philippines Never Prospers),” where it garnered more than 20,700 likes and 36,600 shares. It also drew more than 4,000 comments from irate taxpayers and even presidential spokesperson Edwin Lacierda.

Lacierda apparently relayed the viral photo to Henares, who then sent a comment on the matter through the Malacañang spokesperson.

“The management of the BIR has started conducting an investigation on the matter as soon as the matter came to our attention yesterday (Sept. 11). We would like to thank the people concerned for helping us make sure our people do their job by helping us monitor them by providing us with actionable information,” Lacierda quoted Henares as saying.

For her part, Caparas – the president of a non-government organization – thanked the BIR for responding swiftly to her complaint.