The Bureau of Internal Revenue (BIR) has filed a tax evasion case against spouses Sarah and Curlee Discaya after uncovering alleged unpaid taxes amounting to over ₱7.1 billion.
This morning, BIR Commissioner Romeo Lumagui Jr. personally filed the complaint with the Department of Justice (DOJ). Alongside this, a case was also filed against an official of St. Gerard Construction Gen. Contractor and Development Corporation, which is linked to the Discaya couple.
According to the BIR, their investigation revealed significant tax deficiencies involving the company and its officials—including undeclared income and improper filing of tax returns.
“Batay sa aming imbestigasyon, may kabuuang ₱7.1 bilyon silang hindi nabayarang buwis mula sa individual income taxes, excise taxes ng siyam na luxury vehicles, at documentary stamp taxes sa mga transaksiyong hindi kailanman na-file o nabayaran,” Lumagui stated in a Facebook post.
“Ito pa lamang ang simula. Ang mga kasong ito ay nakatuon sa kanilang personal tax liabilities; patuloy pa ang aming audit sa mga kumpanyang pag-aari ng mga Discaya, at inaasahan naming mas marami pang tax deficiencies ang mabubunyag,” he added.
He said this is part of the agency’s intensified campaign against major tax evaders under the Run After Tax Evaders (RATE) Program, which aims to hold violators accountable and boost government revenue collection for essential public services.
“Walang contractor o opisyal ng gobyerno ang dapat makalusot sa pananagutan. Ang hindi pagbabayad ng buwis ay isang mabigat na paglabag sa batas, at sisiguraduhin naming mapanagot ang mga sangkot,” Lumagui said.
He also urged the public to report contractors who evade paying taxes to the government.
“Kung may alam kayong contractor na umiilag sa kanilang obligasyon, isumbong sa commissioner@bir.gov.ph.” ( ZIA LUNA)
