Over a career spanning more than sixty years in the accountancy profession – as a public servant, an educator, and a civic leader – Estelita Caleon-Aguirre’s has truly established herself as an advocate for technical excellence and professionalism in the fields of government service, education, commerce and industry, and public practice.
Her achievements have won acclaim throughout both the private and public sector, as shown by the numerous awards conferred upon her through the years, such as the Dangal ng Bayan Award, the Civil Service Commission’s highest honor for public servants; the PICPA Hall of Fame Award, recognizing her lifetime of service to the Institute; and the Centenary Award of Excellence in Philippine Accountancy, which distinguished her as one of the top 100 accountants in the first one hundred years of accountancy in the Philippines.
Today, Ms. Aguirre continues to serve the people through her involvement in a wide range of civic, business and philanthropic organizations, such as: PICPA, the Dangal ng Bulacan Foundation, the Pulilan Parish Council of San Isidro Labrador and sundry others, determined that her life shall continue to be dedicated to helping others, and inspiring accounting professionals in serving the best interests of the profession, the communities and the nation.
CV Estelita Caleon-Aguirre
Asian Institute of Taxation (AIT)
President
Bureau of Internal Revenue (BIR)
Deputy Commissioner
Asian Institute of Taxation (AIT)
President
Estelita Caleon-Aguirre currently serves as the President of the Asian Institute of Taxation, where she leads initiatives focused on advancing taxation education, professional development, and ethical standards in the field of accounting and taxation. With decades of experience as a Certified Public Accountant, educator, author, and resource speaker, she has been instrumental in strengthening the Institute’s role in providing specialized training programs, seminars, and continuing professional education for accountants, tax practitioners, government personnel, and business professionals.
Under her leadership, the Asian Institute of Taxation continues to promote excellence in tax education by integrating practical industry knowledge with updated regulatory and legal developments. Ms. Aguirre advocates for lifelong learning, professional integrity, and responsive tax governance, helping professionals adapt to the evolving landscape of taxation, finance, and compliance in both local and international settings. Her commitment to mentorship and knowledge-sharing has contributed significantly to the development of future accounting and taxation professionals in the Philippines and across the ASEAN region.
Bureau of Internal Revenue (BIR)
Deputy Commissioner
Entering the Bureau of Internal Revenue (BIR) on April 20, 1965, as a Revenue examination Aide II (a rank and file position), Ms Aguirre rose from the ranks to reach the top management of the BIR when she was appointed by President Fidel V. Ramos as Deputy Commissioner (the second-highest ranking position in the revenue service) for Resource Management on November 30, 1995 and later as the first female Deputy Commissioner for Operation in 1997. President Joseph Estrada re-appointed her as Deputy Commissioner for Resource Management on July 1, 1998 while President Gloria Macapagal Arroyo re-appointed her to the same deputy position on March 22, 2001. She was also appointed by President Arroyo as a member of the Professional Regulatory Board of Accountancy on August 19, 2002.
