Tax evasion cases under Aquino reach 140

MANILA, Philippines – The Department of Finance (DOF) said Sunday, January 6, it has filed 140 cases worth P44.27 billion against tax evaders since President Benigno Aquino III assumed office over two years ago.

The DOF said the number of cases exceeded the 127 worth P7 billion filed during the 9-year term of former President Gloria Macapagal Arroyo.

The two latest cases filed by the Bureau of Internal Revenue were against a former lawyer of Maguindanao massacre suspect Zaldy Ampatuan and a gold trader. 

Out of 140 cases under the Run After Tax Evaders program, 121 are pending in the Department of Justice, while 17 cases are now with the Court of Tax Appeals. Two were dismissed by the DOJ in October last year.

Smuggling, revenue cases

The Bureau of Customs’ (BOC) Run After The Smugglers (RATS) program, on the other hand, filed 51 cases in 2012, 13 cases more than the 38 it filed in 2011. Total duties and taxes from RATS cases amounted to P25.92 billion, while dutiable value reached P52.36 billion.

The Revenue Integrity Protection Service (RIPS), the DOF’s anti-graft arm, meanwhile, filed 29 cases in 2012, 8 more than the 21 cases filed in 2011. Out of 55 RIPS cases that were previously filed, 50 are pending in the Office of the Ombudsman, while 5 are with the Civil Service Commission. 

RIPS has filed 129 complaints against 172 personalities since 2003.  It has caused the dismissal of 21 employees and the suspension of 62 others. 

Finance Secretary Cesar Purisima said they are working closely with the DOJ, the Ombudsman and the judiciary to hasten the resolution of cases. – Rappler.com