THE Department of Justice (DOJ) has approved the filing of 44 criminal tax cases against three former Department of Public Works and Highways (DPWH) officials over alleged tax evasion involving more than P1.68 billion in liabilities, the Bureau of Internal Revenue (BIR) said Thursday.
The cases will be filed against former officials Jaypee De Leon Mendoza, Henry C. Alcantara, and Brice Ericson D. Hernandez.
In separate resolutions, the DOJ found probable cause to charge the three under Section 254 and related provisions of Section 255 of the National Internal Revenue Code, as amended.
The BIR said the cases were built using the expenditure method, an accounting approach that compares declared income against actual spending to detect unreported taxable income.
For Mendoza, the DOJ recommended the filing of 16 criminal informations covering taxable years 2021 to 2024, with alleged income tax liabilities amounting to P179.78 million.
For Alcantara, 18 criminal informations were recommended covering 2022 to 2024, with total liabilities of P913.83 million. The BIR said no income tax returns were filed for the covered years.
For Hernandez, 10 criminal informations were recommended covering 2020 to 2024, with alleged tax liabilities of P593.78 million, also citing excessive expenditures and failure to file returns.
BIR Commissioner Charlito Martin R. Mendoza said the DOJ’s finding of probable cause marks a key step in enforcement efforts against tax evasion.
“These cases demonstrate the Bureau’s continuing commitment to enforce the tax laws based on evidence and in accordance with the law,” he said.
He added that the BIR will continue pursuing individuals who fail to declare income or comply with tax filing requirements while ensuring due process.