Kim Henares says not interested in Cabinet position

MANILA, Philippines – Tax chief Kim Henares dispelled rumors that she will replace Finance Secretary Cesar Purisima.

“I’m not interested in [a] Cabinet position,” Henares told reporters on Tuesday, February 21, when asked about it.  

Henares is the commissioner of the Bureau of Internal Revenue (BIR), an attached agency of the Finance Department.

As Finance Secretary, Purisima is the de facto head of the administration’s economic team. He is currently in London for a no-deal roadshow and is meeting with representatives of Fitch Ratings and Moody’s Service to discuss the possibility of a credit rating upgrade.

The BIR collects around 3/4 of the government’s total revenues.

Purisima and Henares both played a crucial role of crafting the economic agenda of Aquino during the 2010 polls.

Both have advocated for improving tax administration first before introducing new tax measures.

Henares is at the forefront of a name-and-shame campaign against tax evaders. Under her watch, the BIR has regularly filed charges against allegedly erring individuals and entities, including personalities considered to be at the other side of the political fence. – Rappler.com