BIR files tax evasion complaint vs former PCSO exec

MANILA, Philippines – The Bureau of Internal Revenue has filed before the Department of Justice a tax evasion complaint against a former official of the Philippine Charity Sweepstakes Office (PCSO).

In a news conference, BIR Commissioner Kim Henares said Manuel C. Garcia, PCSO public relations manager, was assessed with an income tax deficiency amounting to P18.91 million from 2006-2010.

Investigation by the BIR showed that Garcia understated his gross taxable income by more than 30 percent for the 5-year period.  Under Section 248 (B) of the National Internal Revenue Code (NIRC), such underdeclaration of income constitutes a prima facie case of fraud.

“This is actually one of the rare cases of corruption where we were able to get copies of return checks as evidence,” Henares said.

The BIR commissioner said the case stemmed from the graft complaint filed by advertising agents Alexander Quisumbing and Ludovico Yuseco at the Office of the Ombudsman on May 8.

Quisumbing and Yuseco claimed they gave P16.1 million and P12.61 million in kickbacks to Garcia in exchange for the payment of their advertising services.