BIR intensifies drive against tax evaders

MANILA, Philippines - The Bureau of Internal Revenue (BIR) improves its chance of getting a US government grant, which would allow the tax agency to beef up its drive against tax evaders. BIR Deputy Commissioner Gregorio Cabantac told reporters that the tax agency has filed 116 charges against suspected tax evaders, the required number of cases to merit the grant from the US-based Millenium Challenge Corp. (MCC). The BIR is eyeing the grant to improve its Run After Tax Evaders (RATE) program. "As far as the RATE component is concerned, we are asking for P20 million," Cabantac said. BIR data showed that 93 RATE cases are pending before the Department of Justice while 13 tax evasion cases have been forwarded to the Court of Appeals, the Court of Tax Appeals, and to other regular courts. The cases include those filed against high profile suspects like actress Judy Ann Santos, actor Richard Gomez, basketball player Asi Taulava, and talent manager Douglas Quijano. The Philippines' efforts to curb corruption has made it eligible to apply for more funding from the MCC. Grants are geared to finance more programs for governance reforms. - GMANews>TV