Manila: The Bureau of Internal Revenue (BIR) on Thursday filed fresh tax evasion charges involving an estimated PHP1.41 billion before the Department of Justice. BIR Commissioner Romeo Lumagui Jr. filed multiple criminal complaints against 23 corporations, 56 corporate officers, and 17 certified public accountants allegedly involved in fraudulent transactions to evade the proper payment of taxes through the use of ‘ghost receipts.’

According to Philippines News Agency, the criminal complaints filed involved multiple violations of tax evasion, failure to supply correct and accurate information, perjury, and false reporting relative to ghost receipts. The said corporations and individuals belonged to various business industries, including construction, manufacturing, food, electronics, entertainment, marketing, and retail.

The BIR noted that these entities and individuals obtained multiple suspicious purchases from ghost corporations, which exist only on paper without actual business operations, employees, or tangible assets. These suspicious purchases were linked to ghost receipts, which were used to create the appearance of legitimate business expenses or purchases, thereby lowering tax payments.

Lumagui emphasized that more charges against erring taxpayers are being prepared. “We will not stop filing tax evasion cases against those who use ghost receipts. We have filed and won criminal cases before the DOJ, even against large companies such as Ever Bilena and World Balance. We will not stop; the proliferation and use of ghost receipts ends now,” Lumagui stated.