Batangas STL operator faces P950-M tax rap

MANILA, Philippines - The Bureau of Internal Revenue (BIR) yesterday filed tax evasion charges against an operator of the small town lottery (STL) games of the Philippine Charity Sweepstakes Office in Batangas.

The BIR alleged the Batangas Enhanced Technology Systems Inc. and its officials, led by its former presidents Benedicto Bulatao and Rolando Montecillo and treasurer Jessie Cantos, failed to pay P959 million in income taxes.

It was the first tax evasion case the BIR filed under the Duterte administration.

The bureau accused the respondents of evading payment and failing to supply correct information in the firm’s income tax return.

It said the company and its officials violated the National Internal Revenue Code for failing to register as a value-added taxpayer and pay VAT and documentary stamp tax from 2007 to 2015. 

The BIR alleged the respondents under-declared the firm’s income taxes during the period.

“As a consequence, the company and its officers have a total liability of P959.96 million in estimated aggregate tax including surcharges and interest,” the bureau said.