Speaker Pantaleon Alvarez of Davao del Norte on Friday called on the Bureau of Internal Revenue (BIR) to investigate alleged undervaluation of tax liabilities of pineapple giant Del Monte Philippines Inc.Alvarez was referring to the P65.4-million tax dues of Del Monte even if there has been a reported assessment that Del Monte’s tax liabilities amount to as much as P29 billion. There is a pending plunder complaint filed before the Ombudsman against BIR Commissioner Caesar Dulay and 17 other officials and personnel in connection with alleged reduction of the tax liabilities of Del Monte. Del Monte has denied the purported tax irregularities covering 2011 to 2013 as alleged in the plunder complaint. “We need better tax collection, and its clear that we have taxes yet to collect which can fund government projects. Other lawmakers backing the Del Monte probe are Johnny Pimentel of Surigao del Sur, head of the good government panel, and Rodel Batocabe of Ako Bicol party-list.

Source: Manila Times July 14, 2017 13:50 UTC