The Bureau of Internal Revenue (BIR) on Thursday filed 74 tax evasion complaints against several individuals and various corporations.
BIR Commissioner Romeo Lumagui Jr. led the filing of the 53 cases before the Department of Justice (DOJ) in Manila.
In an interview with the media, Lumagui said the 74 cases amounted to an estimated total value of Php 3.5 billion.
"Sabay-sabay ang pag-file natin dahil papalapit na ang tax filing season. Gusto natin i-convey sa ating taxpayers na sa paparating na tax filing season ngayong Abril ay gawin nila ang tamang pagbayad ng buwis," he said.
Lumagui said most of the respondents are private companies and individuals who have big tax liabilities.
"Karamihan dito, sila mismo ang nag de-declare na ito ang kanilang bayarin na buwis ngunit hindi binabayaran. Kaya minsan nakikita natin na scheme ito na nagfi-file lang sila ng returns pero hindi babayaran ang buwis," he said.
"Ang inaasahan siguro nila na hindi natin titingan ito na oras na mag-file sila ng return, hindi namin imo-monitor kung bayad ba talaga ang buwis nila mismo," the BIR chief added.
According to Lumagui, the remaining 21 tax evasion complaints were filed in local court.
Meanwhile, he said they are also preparing to file the complaints against illicit cigarettes and vape traders.
Last January 25, the BIR has seized boxes of fake cigarettes in Tondo, Manila during its simultaneous nationwide raid.
