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Manila Bulletin devider Business devider The Economy devider BIR, AMLC join forces to go after corrupt flood control contractors

BIR, AMLC join forces to go after corrupt flood control contractors

Published Sep 15, 2025 01:14 pm
The Bureau of Internal Revenue (BIR) and the Anti-Money Laundering Council (AMLC) have teamed up to file tax evasion and money laundering charges against individuals and companies involved in anomalous flood control projects.
This comes after a meeting on Sept. 12, 2025, between BIR Commissioner Romeo D. Lumagui Jr. and AMLC Executive Director Matthew David, along with auditors and investigators from both agencies.
Lumagui said the two agencies are in “close coordination.” He noted that the AMLC has visibility over the bank transactions of the implicated companies and individuals.
This data, he added, is “crucial” for the BIR's tax fraud audit, as investigations by the Senate and House of Representatives have revealed undeclared wealth or income.
Lumagui added that the joint investigation will ensure all revenue streams and assets are accounted for, stating, “No stone will be left unturned.”
The partnership leverages the AMLC’s power to require the submission of bank reports from individuals and companies suspected of money laundering. These bank records will be analyzed alongside tax returns and payments.
If a contractor or individual’s wealth as shown in bank records does not have corresponding tax payments, a case for tax evasion can be pursued.
Lumagui said the BIR will conduct a tax fraud audit on all contractors, public officials, and private individuals linked to the projects.
He noted that the BIR is already working with other government agencies, including the Department of Public Works and Highways (DPWH), Commission on Audit (COA), Land Registration Authority (LRA), and Land Transportation Office (LTO).
The BIR, he added, is also ready to cooperate with the investigations of the Independent Commission for Infrastructure, the Senate, and the House of Representatives, and has deployed “all available BIR personnel” for the investigation.
The BIR has been conducting a parallel investigation since President Bongbong Marcos Jr. announced the top 15 flood control contractors in a press conference.
This parallel investigation has expanded to include other companies and individuals based on the findings of congressional hearings. The BIR is also taking into account contractors confirmed by the President and the DPWH to have “Ghost Projects.”
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