The Bureau of Internal Revenue (BIR) filed criminal cases before the Department of Justice (DOJ) on Wednesday, Nov. 22, against 69 respondents who buy and sell ghost receipts.
In a press release posted by the Presidential Communications Office (PCO), Lumagui mentioned that the 69 respondents were corporations, corporate officers, and accountants from different industries such as construction and hardware, marketing of goods, equipment, office supplies, automotive oils, trading of metals, contractor electrical and mechanical systems, hotel, and food services.
"The sale and use of Ghost Receipts is a tax-evasion scheme of the highest order. The BIR is committed to filing civil and criminal charges against all corporations, corporate officers, and accountants involved in this syndicate. We are already preparing the next set of criminal cases," he said as quoted by the PCO.
In an interview with reporters in DOJ building in Manila, the BIR Commissioner mentioned that construction firm Hilmarc's was among the identified buyers of the ghost receipts.
"Itong construction firm na ito ay malaki ang pekeng resibo ang ginamit. Sikat na sikat na construction firm. Itong construction firm na ito ay Hilmarc's Construction, and nakita natin na malaki ang naging transaksyon at ginamit na ghost receipts," Lumagui added.
He said aside from the criminal case, the respondents are facing civil liability due to tax evasion.
The tax liability amounts to a total of ₱1.8 billion, according to the BIR Commissioner.
