Posted on June 29, 2016 09:33:00 PM [
bworldonline.com ]
BUREAU of Internal Revenue (BIR)
Commissioner Kim Jacinto-Henares marked the eve of her departure from office by
filing separate tax evasion cases against Planters Development Bank (PDB), a
former Land Transportation Office (LTO) Chairman, Alberto Suansing, and nine
other parties.
PDB, its Senior Vice-President Jose F.
Acetre and a certain Willington Lim were charged with “willful attempt to evade
or defeat taxes” for tax year 2014.
The Bank and Mr. Lim allegedly evaded
the payment of penalties in the amount of P959,581.35 by executing a Deed of
Absolute Sale dated later than the actual transaction.
BIR however discovered that PDB and Lim
concluded a cash sale last in November 2009, allegedly avoiding payment of
Expanded Withholding Tax.
“PDB and Lim postdated the deed of sale
trying to defeat the imposition of surcharge and interest,” said Ms. Henares
during her last news conference.
Likewise, former LTO Chairman and now
North Star Port Development Corp. (North Star) President Alberto H. Suansing
and Treasurer Rosauro A. Aguinaldo were charged with “willful failure to pay
taxes.”
North Star was assessed an unpaid
deficiency liability for tax year 2008 amounting to P29.83 million.
The respondent subsequently ignored
demand notices issued by the BIR.
“The respondent’s obstinate failure and
continued refusal to pay its long overdue deficiency tax assessments, despite
repeated demands, constitute willful failure to pay the taxes due to the
government,” according to a bureau statement.
Sought for comment, Mr. Suansing said he
left the company in 2007 and cannot be liable for evasion of taxes in 2008.
He also denied receiving notices from
the commission including the Final Notice Before Seizure.
“I left the company 9 years ago. I used
to be an officer,” Mr. Suansing said by phone, adding that he is currently
seeking legal advice.
Commissioner Henares leaves office
having charged 492 private corporations and individuals with violations of the
revenue code.
“We’re following every rule of law.
These are contained in provisions of the Internal Revenue Code and we should
implement it,” Ms. Henares said.
“Its also to show people we are serious
about tax collection,” she added. -- Keith NiƱo B. Medrano
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