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Manila Bulletin devider Business devider The Economy devider BIR seizes 19 vehicles in ₱8-billion Discaya tax probe

BIR seizes 19 vehicles in ₱8-billion Discaya tax probe

Published Apr 29, 2026 04:35 pm
(BIR photo)
(BIR photo)
The Bureau of Internal Revenue (BIR) seized 19 motor vehicles on Wednesday, April 29, stepping up its tax enforcement against a high-profile construction group and its owners.
In a statement, BIR said the operation, conducted in coordination with the Bureau of Customs (BOC), targeted assets linked to Pacifico F. Discaya II and Cezarah Rowena Discaya, as well as their firm, St. Gerrard Construction General Contractor & Development Corp.
The seizure took place immediately after the vehicles were released from BOC custody.
Fifteen of the vehicles registered to the Discaya spouses were placed under constructive distraint, a legal remedy that allows the government to secure assets and prevent their disposal while a tax investigation is pending.
An additional four vehicles belonging to St. Gerrard Construction were subjected to constructive seizure as part of ongoing collection proceedings for existing tax assessments.
BIR Commissioner Charlito Martin R. Mendoza said the move was intended to preserve the government’s ability to collect unpaid taxes.
He noted that the bureau implemented the remedies under the National Internal Revenue Code as soon as the vehicles were released, emphasizing that the actions are administrative and strictly follow due process.
The enforcement action stems from a tax case initiated last year. In 2025, the BIR filed criminal complaints with the Department of Justice against the Discayas for alleged tax liabilities totaling more than ₱7.18 billion.
Separately, the bureau has demanded payment from St. Gerrard Construction for a final deficiency tax liability exceeding ₱998 million.
Mendoza credited the BOC, led by Commissioner Ariel Nepomuceno, for the inter-agency coordination that allowed for the inventory and acknowledgment of the assets in the presence of authorized representatives.
The bureau said the operation is a key component of its Revenue Collection and Base Protection initiative, which falls under the broader BIR DARES reform agenda. The program aims to bolster government revenues by balancing the promotion of voluntary compliance with aggressive enforcement against tax evasion. (Jun Ramirez)

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Bureau of Internal Revenue (BIR) Bureau of Customs (BOC) discaya Flood control scandal
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