Authorities to seize Derek Ramsay's luxury car over misdeclaration, tax underpayment

Authorities are set to issue a Warrant of Seizure and Detention for a luxury vehicle belonging to actor Derek Ramsay, after discovering it was allegedly misdeclared and its taxes were underpaid.

According to a Balitanghali report by Bernadette Reyes, the luxury car is the same vehicle Ramsay surrendered last week after the Land Transportation Office (LTO) found out it was using a fake license plate.

Based on inquiries by the LTO and Bureau of Customs (BOC), a different car model was declared on paper, and only P1.8 million in taxes was paid.

Authorities said no less than P35 million should have been paid when it was imported in 2021, given that its market value ranged from P50 million to P100 million.

The BOC clarified that Ramsay was not the person who imported the vehicle, as it had been passed through several owners before reaching the actor.

Authorities added the importer, broker, consignee, and concerned BOC personnel will be asked to explain how the luxury vehicle was imported into the country.

Regarding the vehicle’s fake license plate, Ramsay previously stated that he was abroad when a businessman friend borrowed the car and was caught driving it with a fake plate.

The LTO has since placed the businessman’s driver's license under a 90-day suspension.

LTO has yet to issue a resolution regarding the use of the fake license plate on the vehicle, as well as other potential issues on how it was registered.

According to BOC Commissioner Ariel Nepomuceno, the vehicle is set to be auctioned in due time.

At present, the vehicle remains at the LTO compound while the necessary documents are being processed. — Lyjah Tiffany Bonzo/LA, GMA News