MANILA — The Bureau of Internal Revenue (BIR) has initiated a sweeping tax audit on Vice President Sara Duterte-Carpio, her husband Manases “Mans” Carpio, and nine companies linked to them, following financial disclosures that surfaced during recent impeachment proceedings.
In a statement, the BIR said it has issued Letters of Authority (LOAs), authorizing revenue officers to scrutinize financial records, books of accounts, and other documents of the individuals and firms involved.
The agency said the move was based on third-party information obtained from both public and official sources, as permitted under the National Internal Revenue Code.
Among those considered were testimony from the Office of the Ombudsman on Duterte-Carpio’s statements of assets, liabilities, and net worth, as well as reports from the Anti-Money Laundering Council presented during House hearings.
“Accountability begins with the consistent application of the law. Where there is a basis to investigate, the BIR will do so. And if evidence of tax violations exists, it is our duty to pursue the appropriate civil, administrative, or criminal remedies,” BIR Commissioner Charlito Mendoza said.
He clarified that the issuance of an LOA does not imply wrongdoing but is a standard procedure to verify tax compliance.
Mendoza added that an LOA was “not a conclusion of liability, but it is a necessary step in determining the correct taxes due.”
Entities included in the audit are Carpio Lawyers (formerly Carpio & Duterte Lawyers), Zelta Matiem Salon, City Hall King Chow Foods Corporation, Davao Bounty Times Foods Corporation, Madayaw Fisheries Inc., Davao Emerging Taipans Corporation, Amianan Shores, Inc., Cale88 Foods Corporation, and Geometry Security and Investigation Agency, Inc.
The BIR said the objective of the audit is to ensure the proper collection of taxes.
As of posting, the Vice President and Carpio have yet to issue a statement on the matter./PN
