Ex-DPWH engineers face tax evasion raps

Metro Manila, Philippines - Former engineers of the Department of Public Works and Highways (DPWH) tagged in the flood control scandal are facing tax evasion complaints for ₱1.6 billion in liabilities.

The Bureau of Internal Revenue (BIR) filed the complaints with the Department of Justice on Thursday, Nov. 6, in particular against former DPWH-Bulacan district engineer Henry Alcantara and ex-assistant district engineers Brice Hernandez and Jaypee Mendoza.

BIR Commissioner Romeo Lumagui Jr. said lifestyle checks showed a gap in the income of the three engineers and their lavish ways, including the purchase of luxury vehicles.

The investigation, Lumagui said, also revealed that the former officials received huge income from kickbacks from flood control projects, which were supposedly laundered through gambling in casinos.

“Nakita natin na itong mga ari-arian na ‘to ta’s ‘yung iba, hindi ‘yan tutugma doon sa aming records na kita nila,” Lumagui said in a chance interview after the filing.

[Translation: We saw that these assets do not match with our records of their income.]

“Meron silang perang ganyan at meron silang [They have significant money and they have] unreported income,” he said.

The commissioner said they will compel the three to pay taxes due; and the former government engineers will serve time if convicted.

Limagui also said the agency is looking into all personalities linked to anomalous flood control projects.

Last month, the BIR filed seven criminal complaints against embattled contractor couple Sarah and Curlee Discaya and the corporate officer of their company St. Gerrard Construction for an even bigger ₱7.1 billion in tax liabilities.