MANILA — Former presidential spokesperson Harry Roque on Tuesday strongly rejected a tax evasion complaint filed by the Bureau of Internal Revenue (BIR), branding it “politically motivated” and vowing to contest allegations involving more than P3.35 million in supposed tax deficiencies.
The complaints “form part of a continuing pattern of actions which we believe are politically motivated and intended to harass and pressure individuals associated with, or perceived to be supportive of, the Duterte administration,” Roque said, adding that the accusations “are legally and factually baseless.”
The BIR earlier filed a complaint before the Department of Justice against Roque, his wife Mylah Reyes Roque, and associate Percival Sazon Ortega over alleged violations linked to Biancham Holdings and Trading, Inc.
According to the agency, the respondents supposedly failed to file required tax returns and pay taxes related to the transfer of shares and an increase in authorized capital stock, with total deficiencies estimated at over P3.35 million, inclusive of surcharges and interest.
The BIR said there is probable cause to charge them with willful attempt to evade taxes and failure to file tax returns — offenses that carry fines and possible imprisonment of up to 10 years.
Roque, however, insisted no taxes were due, arguing that no taxable event had taken place.
“There has been no issuance of shares whatsoever pursuant to any alleged increase in authorized capital stock. Absent actual issuance or subscription of shares, there is no taxable event that could give rise to liability under Philippine tax law,” he said.
He further maintained that the allegations stem from a flawed understanding of corporate and tax rules.
“The allegations are therefore premised on a misunderstanding of basic corporate and tax principles. Any suggestion of tax liability at this stage is unfounded and premature,” Roque added.
Roque stressed that all compliance requirements had been met.
“All required tax returns have been properly and diligently filed in accordance with law. Any assertion of failure to comply with filing obligations is incorrect,” he said.
“We will address these allegations vigorously through all appropriate legal remedies and will fully engage in the proper judicial and administrative processes,” Roque added.
“We remain confident that a fair and impartial review of the facts will confirm the correctness of our position. We call for fairness, restraint, and strict adherence to due process, and we will continue to defend our rights under the rule of law,” he further said.
Roque is also facing a separate human trafficking complaint tied to his alleged links to a Philippine Offshore Gaming Operator hub. He left the Philippines in September 2024 after being cited in contempt for skipping Senate hearings and later went to Vienna to process an asylum application./PN
