By Anna Leah Gonzales
MANILA – The Bureau of Internal Revenue (BIR) Revenue Region No. 11 and Revenue District Office (RDO) No. 75, and the Philippine National Police (PNP) seized 30,598 packs of suspected illicit cigarettes in Estancia, Iloilo with an estimated tax liability of PHP25.07 million.
In a statement Monday, BIR said the operation was carried out on June 25 pursuant to a mission order issued by Regional Director Philip Mayo and the implementation of a search warrant issued by the Regional Trial Court.
Led by Revenue District Officer Crister Marie Vallejo, the team served the search warrant at two residential properties owned by Jelyn Brodeth Sotaridona in Poblacion I and Lumbia, Estancia, Iloilo.
Authorities confiscated 57 master cases, 180 reams and 298 packs of suspected illicit cigarettes believed to have been intended for distribution without payment of the proper excise taxes.
BIR personnel conducted the examination, inventory and marking of the recovered cigarettes, while PNP personnel secured the premises and effected the arrest of individuals found in possession of the contraband.
The confiscated articles were inventoried, presented before the issuing court in accordance with the Rules of Court, and turned over to the BIR for safekeeping pending the institution of the appropriate tax enforcement proceedings.
In a separate enforcement operation at TD Hotel in Cauayan City, Isabela on June 25, BIR Revenue Region No. 03-Cagayan Valley and Criminal Investigation and Detection Group Regional Field Unit 2 also seized around 101,000 packs of suspected illicit cigarettes.
The confiscated cigarettes have an estimated floor price of PHP9.01 million.
The seized cigarettes are estimated to have resulted in PHP81.2 million and PHP1.5 million total liability for excise tax and value added tax, respectively.
“Every pack of illicit cigarettes sold in the market represents revenues that should have funded essential public services. Under our DARES agenda, we will continue to strengthen enforcement, protect the country’s revenue base, and ensure that those who evade excise taxes are held fully accountable under the law,” BIR Commissioner Charlito Mendoza said.
DARES stands for Digital and Data Transformation, Audit Reform and Accountability, Revenue Collection and Base Protection, Employee Empowerment and Welfare Promotion, Service Excellence, and Stakeholder Engagement.
“Our sustained partnership with the Philippine National Police and other law enforcement agencies demonstrates our whole-of-government approach in protecting legitimate businesses and preserving the integrity of our tax system. We will continue to pursue tax violators relentlessly to ensure a fair and level playing field for compliant taxpayers,” Mendoza said.
BIR said it is currently preparing criminal complaints for violation of the National Internal Revenue Code of 1997, as amended, and other applicable laws against the persons found responsible for the unlawful possession of the illicit cigarettes.
“The BIR will continue to strengthen its campaign against illicit tobacco products and other forms of tax evasion. We remain resolute in safeguarding government revenues and ensuring that businesses operate on a level playing field,” Mendoza added. (PNA)
