BIR slaps tax evasion raps vs Pajero Lady

The Bureau of Internal Revenue (BIR) filed a tax evasion complaint before the Department of Justice (DOJ) against the "Pajero Lady," a convicted robber who faces a string of cases, including non-payment of taxes for more than a dozen vehicles.

BIR commissioner Jose Mario Bunag said Ma. Lourdes Ramos de Guzman aka Josephine Garcia, is the subject of complaints for her failure to file income tax returns for 2003 and 2004 and for failure to register and pay the annual registration fee for the same years.

De Guzman had been convicted for robbery and theft, often striking in exclusive subdivisions. She uses luxury vehicles and SUVs in her activities, earning for herself the monicker Pajero Lady.

She was recently recaptured after escaping from her jail escorts last year.

Bunag said De Guzman used her income from her illegal activities in purchasing several vehicles, including a blue Ford Escape, white Mitsubishi Pajero, white mini-Pajero, red Ford-150, black Jaguar, gray Mitsubishi Space Gear, green Suzuki Vitara, Blue Mitsubishi Lancer, black Honda Accord, black Mitsubishi Outlander, white BMW, green Honda Civic, silver Honda Jazz, green Hyundai Starex, red Mitsubishi Lancer and salmon Toyota Altis.

He said while De Guzman has no legal source to support her acquisition of expensive vehicles, she is still obliged to declare them for taxable years 2003 and 2004 and pay the corresponding taxes.

De Guzman, Bunag pointed out, registered the vehicles under her name or her known aliases.

Bunag cited data obtained from the Land Transportation Office (LTO) information technology system database verification reports, which showed that De Guzman acquired a Ford Escape, Mitsubishi Lancer, Mitsubishi Pajero in 2003 and a Mitsubishi Space Gear, Mitsubishi Outlander, Ford Expedition and Mercedes Benz in 2004.

No income tax returns were filed for 2003 and 2004.

He said based on data from the BIR computer database, De Guzman has not filed income tax returns since 1995.

Bunag said her total tax liability for 2003 is P1,995,556.67 and P4,484,551.33 for 2004, inclusive of surcharges and interests.

"De Guzman must face the criminal complaint slapped against her. She should not be allowed to profit twice from her illegal acts," the BIR chief said.