House of Representatives (Ellson Quismorio/ MANILA BULLETIN)



Albay 2nd district Rep. Joey Salceda is eyeing a briefing with the Bureau of Internal Revenue (BIR) in the House of Representatives on the fake or "ghost receipts" scam, which has apparently cost the national government billions in lost revenues. "The updates briefing will be public, like a usual committee briefing, for our members and the public," Salceda said Thursday, June 22. He will request the briefing with the BIR in his capacity as House Committee on Ways and Means Chairman. As to what will be tackled about the fake receipts issue, the ranking congressman said: "It depends on what the BIR is allowed to disclose...to the extent that the court will allow them." Salceda underscored that the briefing won't be an inquiry or an investigation in aid of legislation, but a way for the tax panel to work alongside the agency as far as the issue is concerned. "We will also request the BIR for steps they are taking to prevent or deter more of such incidents. We will work together constructively on this," the Bicolano said, adding, "We don’t want to affect the judicial proceedings." "There’s a time and place for everything. A hearing at this point when there are already strong cases filed will do more harm to the prosecution," stressed Salceda. On Wednesday, June 21, the BIR filed before the Department of Justice (DOJ) tax evasion charges amounting to P18 billion against corporate officers, accounting firms, and certified public accountants (CPA) of three companies that allegedly purchase and use fake receipts. As per news reports, BIR Commissioner Romeo Lumagui Jr. identified the three companies as World Balance, CHK Steel, and Gamon Resources. Under the fake receipts scam, companies can lower their income tax payments by padding their expenses using the fake receipts from dummy suppliers. It was only last May when the National Bureau of Investigation (NBI) filed a complaint before the DOJ and identified the ghost suppliers used by Brenterprise International Inc. in the production of fake receipts. Brenterprise International is owned by esports executive Bren Chong. NBI agents obtained the list of suppliers during a raid on Brenterprise’s Eastwood office in Quezon City in December 2022. Salceda is the principal author of House Bill (HB )No. 8144, or the Anti-Tax Racketeering Act, which was approved by the House of Representatives on May 29, 2023. “Tax racketeering, which is systematic and involves conspiracy to defraud the government of tax dues, is punishable by not less than 17 years. Their accomplices are also punishable by 10 to 17 years in prison, and if they are public officials, they will also be disqualified from public office for life. That’s under our proposal," he said.