BIR Files Charges VS Tax Violators in Subic

By Iya G. Oliva

CRIMINAL CHARGES have been filed on Friday by the Bureau of Internal Revenue (BIR) against several individuals and locators in the Subic Bay Freeport.

On orders of lawyer Jethro Sabariaga, Central Luzon BIR regional director, complaints were filed before the Olongapo City Prosecutors Office against Elick BPO Solutions, Inc., DCB Trading Incorporated, Crown Peak Estate Developers, Inc., Gamma-F Asia, Inc. and Matrix Mobile, Inc.

Also facing charges are Pearlie Macopia Pantaleon, a bookkeeper, Edgar Navarro Picache, a Certified Public Accountant (CPA) and Oscar Bengson Lambino, president of Gamma-F Asia, Inc.

According to Revenue District Officer (RDO) Deogracias T. Villar, Jr. of Revenue District Office (RDO) 19 that covers Subic Freeport, “reminder letters and notices to the respondents, as well as, invitations for a dialogue for a chance to hear out their side, were repeatedly sent to the respondents, but were simply ignored.”

Records show that Ellick BPO Solutions, Inc. failed to file a total of ninety-three (93) Monthly Remittance Returns from November 2011 to November 2016; DCB Trading Incorporated failed to file twenty-six (26) tax returns for the period December 2011 to December 2013; Crown Peak Estate Developers, Inc. failed to file fifty-eight (58) tax returns for the period June 2008 to December 2015, and Matrix Mobile Inc. failed to file thirty-two (32) returns for the period March 2012 to June 2016.

Gamma-F Asia, Inc. and its president, Lambino are being sued for violation of Section 255 of the NIRC of 1997 for  allegedly willful  failure to pay income tax liabilities amounting to P543,464.97, inclusive of increments, covering taxable year 2009.

Pantaleon allegedly falsified BIR Forms, declaring to her client, Ta Zon [Phils.] Color Paper Corporation, that its Monthly Remittance Returns were accurately filed and paid.

BIR’s initial investigation shows that Pantaleon also submitted fake bank deposit slips to her client, as Union Bank’s records show that no payment from Ta Zon was made within the period declared by Pantaleon.

Picache, on the other hand, allegedly failed to file his Income Tax Return for the year 2011 and 53 Monthly Percentage Tax Returns from September 2008 to May 2017.

“Tax evasion creates an unfair business environment and affects negatively honest taxpayers,” Sabariaga said in a statement, “it is thus necessary to restore balance by doing hard enforcement against tax evaders. Even if it means killing the goose that lays the golden egg.”

Villar emphasized that the recent filing of charges is just an initial phase of the Subic Bay tax agency’s campaign against non-filing of tax returns, non-payment of taxes and attempt to evade taxes. He enjoined everyone to be conscientious of their tax compliance, especially tax practitioners who are supposed to walk the talk.”

 

 

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