Gov’t to go after tax evaders, smugglers

[grabehbebe]

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Gov’t elated by 1st major victory in tax credit scam


MALACAÑANG yesterday cheered its first major victory in the government’s seven-year battle to prosecute a multibillion tax credit scam saying that this would boost government efforts to clamp down on tax fraud.

“It’s a victory for the government and we are happy about the resolution of the case. The tax credit problem will not only involve Shell but also other companies that availed themselves of the tax credit in the past,� said Presidential Chief of Staff Michael Defensor.

The Court of Appeals reversed a previous ruling and ordered Pilipinas Shell Petroleum Corp. to pay the government P570 million in tax liabilities for using tax credit certificates that were fraudulently secured to offset its liabilities in 1998.

The TCCs were acquired from Faustino Chingkoe whose garments companies issued bogus tax credit certificates or instruments that entitle bearer to a refund of taxes. The tax credit certificates can be sold to another company to offset its tax liabilities.

“The bottom line here is that while we achieved victory we have to ensure that nothing like this will be repeated in the future,� Defensor said in an interview.
Three more cases -- one against Shell and two others against Petron Corp.-- are still pending in court.

A presidential task force formed in 1999 to investigate the scam tagged one of Chingkoe’s firm for obtaining around P131 million in tax credit certificates from 1994 to 1997 despite a 1993 closure order enforced by the Department of Environment and Natural Resources. The government issues a tax credit certificate.


First posted 04:59am (Mla time) May 17, 2006
Inquirer
http://news.inq7.net/nation/index.ph...story_id=76054

[baron]

^That's so good to know. This only serves a reminder to all the tax evaders that the government will not stop in running against those tax evaders. The money that the government will be getting can be translated to various projects and programs of the government.

I know this will just be a good start.

[grabehbebe]

I thought this country has problem regarding goods smuggling, although i knew there were several cases of human smuggling, i never thought that it's as big that it needs to build a program this time.

Because of the numerous human trafficking in our country the Antihuman smuggling campaign gets the big push to once and for all end this illegal activity and help those who are victimized by this wrong acts.

The govt's anti human trafficking campaign has recieved a major boost from Microsoft Philippines, which together with Visayan Forum Foundation, launched a program intended to help the victims rebuild their lives.

The program “Stop Trafficking and Exploitation of People through Unlimited Potentialâ€� or Step-UP,Â* will provide information and technology (IT) skills training to victims of human trafficking, underprivileged youth and adults.

Full Story:
http://www.manilastandardtoday.com/?...s05_may29_2006

[grabehbebe]

News: BIR sues industrial firm for tax evasion

The Bureau of Internal Revenue yesterday sued a contractor of major electronics and semiconductor companies in the country for tax evasion after failing to remit P79 million worth of taxes since 1997.

Charged before the Department of Justice under the BIR’s Operation RATE (Run After Tax Evaders) was System Industrial Builders and Developers Corp. and its manager Eduardo Fontanilla.

System Industrial Builders and Developers is engaged in the business of all kinds of mechanical, electrical and chemical works, contracting, manufacturing, fabrication, maintenance, repair and installation of mechanical, electrical, structural materials and machineries.

Investigations showed that the respondent filed fraudulent income tax return for taxable year 1997 and failed to file the required ITR for taxable years 1998 and 1999.

Data gathered by investigators from the Securities and Exchange Commission showed that the company earned P54.43 million from 1997 to 1999 by servicing clients that include Amkor Technology Philippines, Honda Cars Philippines, Philips Semiconductors Philippines and ON Semiconductors (formerly Motorola).

Certifications from Amkor Technology and Honda Cars showed that SIBDC earned P39.33 million in 1997 while certifications from Philips and ON Semiconductors showed that the company earned P12.27 million in 1998 and another P2.83 million in 1999.

By Lawrence Agcaoili
http://www.manilastandardtoday.com/?...02_june01_2006

[grabehbebe]

BOC readies 43 new cases vs smugglers

The Bureau of Customs (BOC) said yesterday it would file 43 new criminal cases against suspected smugglers found violating the Tariff and Customs Code.

Customs Commissioner Napoleon Morales said the bureau is now collating evidence in preparation for the filing of separate cases against at least 10 companies and several Customs employees with the Department of Justice (DOJ).

BoC Legal Office director Raynaldo Umali identified one of the companies as Kingson International Trading Corp., which was involved in the smuggling of a shipload of steel products worth an estimated P80 million.

Umali, who also heads the BOC’s Run After the Smugglers (RATS) program, said a number of individuals would also be charged criminally, along with the company, in connection with the smuggling of luncheon meat, ceramic tiles and used clothing.

Customs Deputy Commissioner Celso Templo earlier said the DOJ provided the BoC with three special prosecutors to assist the bureau in the campaign against smuggling.

Templo said the prosecutors would also help the BoC in filing new cases, as well as monitor old cases pending in court.

Meanwhile, Umali said they need more lawyers in the RATS program to ensure that all cases would be monitored.

"In the past, there have been instances when a defendant submits a counter affidavit and there are certain issues in that affidavit that need to be answered. Since there was no lawyer assigned there, we did not receive the court notice and lost by default," he pointed out.

The strengthening of the legal mechanisms is part of the bureau’s reform agenda.


http://www.philstar.com/philstar/NEWS200606276302.htm

[craz_beautiful_ava]

basta dakpon tanan tax evaders coz they broke the law..

[baron]

It seems the Bureau of Customs is very much serious and active to prosecute those who are involved in smuggling. This would help us pinpoint as well those who are involved in corrupt practices so as to completely eradicate graft and corruption in the government.

This serves them right, considering that each one of us should be given what is ought to be given to them. Others work hard for what they earn for living. All of us should do the same.

[fingolfin]

... oh, so they mean, they're gonna burn their own house?? the malacanang

[REALSTATE]

mao ni dapat nila buhaton

[kamikaze426]

money talks... mag lisod ni cla ani