Manila: The dismissal of three excise tax cases against Sarah and Curlee Discaya has no impact on other tax evasion charges and criminal complaints against them in connection with the anomalous flood control projects, the Department of Justice (DOJ) said on Tuesday. 'The issue on the Discayas' tax liabilities has nothing to do with any of their other existing or potential liabilities,' DOJ spokesperson Polo Martinez said in a message to reporters. 'It also has no effect on the liabilities of other individuals in the pending flood control cases,' Martinez added.
According to Philippines News Agency, on Monday, the DOJ stated that prosecutors have dismissed the excise tax cases filed by the Bureau of Internal Revenue against the contractor couple, involving alleged anomalies in the importation of six luxury vehicles registered under their names. The prosecutors clarified that the Discayas were end consumers and not importers, and therefore not the statutory taxpayers responsible for paying the excise tax.
Moreover, two other tax cases for allegedly concealing their true income in their 2020 and 2021 tax returns will be filed by the DOJ before the Court of Tax Appeals. These actions highlight the ongoing scrutiny and legal proceedings the Discayas face regarding their financial practices.
