Mon Abrea, Ten Outstanding Young Men (TOYM) and Asia CEO Young Leader of the Year awardee has recently been named as one of the finalists in this year’s Search for Ten Outstanding Young Persons (TOYP) of the World conducted by the Junior Chamber International (JCI), a non-governmental organization with chapters in about 124 countries. The award formally recognizes young people who excel in their chosen fields and who exemplify the best attributes of the world’s youth. Previous Filipino awardees include Dr. Alonzo Gabriel (2014) and Sen. Bam Aquino (2012).
Known in business circles for his expertise and the moniker of “Tax Whiz,” Abrea is also the Founding President of Center for Strategic Reforms of the Philippines (CSR Philippines), an organization that seeks to empower the country’s SMEs as well as in informing/educating policy-makers, business leaders, celebrities, entrepreneurs and lawyers in policy and related issues related to tax matters. He is one of the active advocates for “tax amnesty” as a prerequisite for genuine tax reform in the country.
Under the proposed tax amnesty program, violations of tax laws and regulations from a specific period up to the present will be pardoned, allowing taxpayers to just make the amendments and declarations. Through this process, the government will be able to collect more taxes from previous taxable years without using the threat of penalty or filing tax evasion cases against the taxpayer. “If the Duterte administration wants to stop corruption in BIR, it needs to trust the taxpayers to pay their taxes correctly and the BIR examiners to do their job honestly,” Abrea said.
To further promote tax amnesty, CSR Philippines launched the “Pledge of Support for a Genuine Tax Reform”, calling for public commitment in promoting a culture of honesty and integrity and for the business community to show their trust and support to the BIR and help collect more taxes by paying right. Interested business organizations and local chambers may invite Mon Abrea to speak about his advocacy and participate in the signing of the pledge most especially this August and September. Just send a letter of invitation to [email protected]. To vote for Mon Abrea on his quest for TOYP, visit www.jci.cc/toypvote, click the profile of Mon Abrea and click vote and share. For more updates on programs of CSR Philippines, visit www.facebook.com/CSRPhilippines/.