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Marco Luis Beech - The Philippine Star
August 8, 2025 | 12:00am
The Bureau of Internal Revenue (BIR), led by Commissioner Romeo D. Lumagui Jr., filed criminal complaints against 23 corporations, 56 corporate officers, and 17 accountants involved in using “ghost receipts” to evade taxes at the Department of Justice on August 7, 2025
STAR / Edd Gumban
MANILA, Philippines — The Bureau of Internal Revenue (BIR) filed criminal complaints against 23 corporations, their officers and accountants allegedly involved in the use of fraudulent ghost receipts.
BIR Commissioner Romeo Lumagui Jr. led the filing of the complaints before the Department of Justice (DOJ) yesterday against 23 corporations, 56 corporate officers and 17 certified public accountants.
“We have filed and won criminal cases before the DOJ even against large companies such as Ever Bilena and World Balance. The DOJ found probable cause to indict them for tax evasion for their use of ghost receipts. We will not stop. The proliferation and use of ghost receipts end now,” Lumagui said.
The BIR said the use of ghost receipts in these fraudulent transactions resulted in P1.41 billion in tax deficiencies, representing revenue losses due to manipulated financial records and false expense declarations by the accused parties.
The companies found to be using ghost receipts are in various industries including construction, manufacturing, retail, food, marketing, electronics and entertainment.
The BIR said the companies they targeted obtained multiple suspicious purchases from ghost corporations – firms that exist only on paper but without actual business operations, employees or tangible assets.
“These suspicious purchases were linked to ghost receipts, which have no actual transactions and were only used to create the appearance of legitimate business expenses and purchases to lower tax payments,” the BIR said.
In March, the DOJ filed four criminal complaints before the Quezon City Metropolitan Trial Court against Ever Bilena Cosmetics Inc. for tax evasion and failure to supply correct and accurate information in its tax returns.
The DOJ also filed 34 criminal charges before the Court of Tax Appeals against World Balance in connection with its basic tax deficiencies.
As part of its sustained efforts to combat fraud, the BIR said it would continue to file tax evasion cases against individuals and companies using ghost receipts.
Earlier, Lumagui told The STAR that the BIR is seeking a legislative reform to expand its authority in suspending or closing businesses found violating excise tax laws.
Lumagui said the move aims to strengthen tax enforcement by making it clear that suspension powers apply to all forms of tax violations, ensuring consistency and eliminating loopholes in the current system.
