The country’s tax chief said the Bureau of Internal Revenue (BIR) is looking into possible tax liabilities of the personalities involved in the $81 million money laundering scam.
BIR commissioner Kim Henares said the agency is checking if taxes are properly paid by companies and individuals being linked to the scheme.
“Every time there’s a controversy, whether it has a legislative investigation going on, we look into it just to make sure we’re not negligent,” Henares said on the sidelines of the Management Association of the Philippines’ General Membership Meeting yesterday.
“We’re looking into it. If taxes are properly paid, then everyone does not have any problem. If taxes are not properly paid, then they will have a problem. Whoever needs to be investigated will be investigated,” she added.
She also reiterated that the bank secrecy law should be lifted. Henares earlier said criminals have often hidden behind bank secrecy laws.
“I’ve always said that we should lift the bank secrecy law, because we should not be complicit to allowing a crime to be committed successfully. It should not be the case, where a criminal is able to escape because of the country’s laws,” she said.
The BIR chief pointed out the recent events only prove that the laws need serious updating. (ANGELA CELIS, Malaya)