Local make-up brand facing tax evasion charges

Metro Manila, Philippines - Four criminal cases have been filed by the Department of Justice (DOJ) against local make-up brand Ever Bilena for tax evasion, the agency said on Friday, April 4.

Ever Bilena and its president, Dioceldo Sy, and treasurer, Miami Siytaoco, have been charged at the Quezon City Metropolitan Trial Court Branch 33 on March 25. The DOJ said the case filing is a result of its investigation following the Bureau of Internal Revenue (BIR) filing of a criminal complaint.

Based on the BIR investigation, the cosmetics company used and claimed benefits from ghost receipts issued by ghost firm Decarich Supertrade, Inc.

“The use of ghost receipts had resulted in Ever Bilena’s overstated expenses amounting to millions of pesos and lowered taxable income. Consequently, it failed to declare and pay the correct amount of tax due,” the DOJ said.

It added that it found “evidence of reasonable certainty of conviction that the allegation of tax evasion against Ever Bilena is sufficient to warrant conviction.”

Ever Bilena, the DOJ said, should defend itself as arrest warrants will soon be released against the firm, Sy, and Siytaoco.