BIR files tax evasion complaints vs. ex-DPWH officials

The Bureau of Internal Revenue (BIR) on Thursday filed a tax evasion complaint with the Department of Justice (DOJ) against former Department of Public Works and Highways (DPWH) engineers Henry Alcantara, Brice Hernandez, and Jaypee Mendoza.

In an ambush interview, BIR Commissioner Romeo “Jun” Lumagui Jr. said this is over P1.6 billion in income tax deficiencies from 2020 to 2024.

“Ico-compel natin sila na bayaran ‘yan at hahabulin din natin lahat ng mga ari-arian nila para masigurado na mabayaran ito,” Lumagui said.

(We will compel them to pay and we will pursue all their assets to ensure it gets paid.)

According to the BIR, it conducted a lifestyle check and looked into the Sworn Statement of Assets, Liabilities and Net Worth (SALN) of the former officials.

The BIR said its investigation revealed that the three received kickbacks from anomalous or ghost flood control projects, which they allegedly laundered through casinos.

The BIR said it found that the individuals exchanged cash for casino chips that were grossly disproportionate to their declared source of income.

“Dahil dito sa mga pagdinig nakita naman natin na malaki ang ginagastos nila sa casino. So, itong daang-daang milyon, syempre saan din nanggaling ‘yan? So vinerify din natin at nakita natin na totoo nga, meron nga silang mga ginastos sa mga casino na mga ilang daang milyon,” he said. 

(Because of these hearings, we’ve seen that they spend a lot in casinos. So these hundreds of millions — of course, where did that come from? So we also verified it and found that it’s true, they really spent hundreds of millions in casinos.)

Meanwhile, the bureau also noted that the individuals acquired luxury vehicles, high-value properties, and other personal assets that were grossly disproportionate to their declared sources of income.

The complaint filed was for violation of Sections 254 and 255, in relation to Sections 24(A)(1)(a), 51(A)(1)(a), and 74(A) of the National Internal Revenue Code of 1997, as amended.
The BIR has filed 10 complaints or cases over P8 billion in tax liability.

Lumagui said more cases may also be filed.

“Again, lahat ng mga personalities na involved ay titignan po natin. So wala po tayong pipiliin. Talagang lahat po ng ano ay, lahat ng mga involved, lahat ng na me-mention, lahat ng personalities ay iimbestigahan po natin,” he said.

(Again, all the personalities involved will be examined by us. So we will not pick and choose. Truly, everything, everyone involved, everyone mentioned, all the personalities will be investigated by us.) —VAL, GMA Integrated News