The Bureau of Internal Revenue (BIR) filed tax evasion charges against 12 companies based mostly in Metro Manila for allegedly neglecting to pay more than P381 million in back taxes.
The cases are the first submitted to the Department of Justice since the government placed the country under lockdown in March.
Revenue Deputy Commissioner for Legal Service Marissa Cabreros said the charges were filed after the firms deliberately ignored the respective notices sent to them.
Owners and other key officers of these corporations were also included in the complaints.
Quezon City Revenue Regional Director Alvin Galanza identified the respondents under his jurisdiction as Classic Act and Merchandising, Mirravin General Contractor, Autoklassik Motors, LSM Builders Steel and Eltriz Employment Agency.
East NCR Revenue Regional Director Romulo Aguilar, Jr. named the other companies as Filipino Food Favorites of Pasig City, Yarntech Manufacturing of Tanay, Rizal; Aco Reinforced Concrete Pipes of San Juan City; Flavor Systems of Mandaluyong; Padua International of Antipolo City; Timmingco Industrial of Pasig City and Chamber Enterprises of Pasig City.
The highest deficiency tax assessment of P77 million was slapped against Yarntech, followed by Classic Act Merchandising and Filipino Food, at P41 million and P36 million, respectively.
The latest batch brought to 650 the number of tax evasion cases filed under the administration of BIR Commissioner Caesar Dulay.