Puerto Rico Treasury recertifies anti-bribery system under ISO 37001
The Puerto Rico Treasury Department has recertified its Anti-Bribery Management System under the ISO 37001:2016 standard, reinforcing internal controls and transparency.
This was the first external review of the system since its implementation in the Tax Policy Area (APC, in Spanish), where it covers strategic and support processes. The audit, conducted by Bicert, an accredited auditing body, was completed with no findings or observations.
“The audit demonstrated the proper implementation, maintenance and continuous improvement in the effectiveness of our management system,” said Treasury Secretary Ángel L. Pantoja-Rodríguez.
“The implementation of this system helps us establish and strengthen our internal controls to detect, prevent and mitigate bribery, thus demonstrating the transparency that governs our processes,” he said.
The APC unit, which handles complex tax matters, pension plan qualifications, tax credit evaluations and tax form development, was the focus of the audit. As part of the process, operational and strategic tasks were reviewed and staff responsible for implementation were interviewed.
Pantoja-Rodríguez said the agency is now expanding the system to the Consumption Tax Office (NIC, in Spanish), with support from the Center for Operational Excellence and project advisers.
“The project is well underway, and the team’s response has been very positive. This is a large and comprehensive project,” he said.
About 150 agents and staff are involved in the NIC implementation. The unit oversees internal revenue licenses, industries such as alcohol and tobacco, and taxation of public events.
“The work guidelines help us prevent, detect and address cases of bribery,” Pantoja-Rodríguez said, reaffirming the agency’s focus on ethics training and process integrity.
