There are calls from many sectors to pursue a full-blown congressional investigation into the alleged illicit trading practices of a local cigarette manufacturer.
One of them is that of Sen. Antonio Trillanes IV, who backed on Thursday the move of House Speaker Feliciano Belmonte to inquire into the status of Bureau of Internal Revenue’s (BIR) inquiry into the alleged tax evasion of Mighty Corp.
“We welcome the proposal to conduct a congressional investigation on this matter since the BIR has long been sitting on the issue of alleged tax evasion of Mighty Corp.,” Trillanes told the media in a text message.
Earlier Belmonte questioned what he described as deafening silence of BIR on the tax case of Bulacan-based tobacco company despite findings reached by the Senate Tax Study Research Office (STSRO), indicating that Mighty appears to be engaged in smuggling activities.
“Many are waiting for the full report of the investigation conducted by the BIR,” Sen. Juan Edgardo “Sonny” Angara, co-chairman of the Congressional Oversight Committee on Comprehensive Tax Reform Program, said.
Even before Belmonte raised his concern on the issue, Angara said the committee has not been remiss in its duties, saying they had already called the attention of the BIR in light of the report made by the STSRO.
Angara said they plan to reconvene the oversight committee next year after the Christmas break, adding that they just had a meeting on the “sin” tax law.
“I’m sure Chairman [Miro] Quimbo can give him [Belmonte] a full report of what transpired in the tax oversight committee when we met to tackle the implementation of the sin-tax law,” Angara said.
8 comments
Daming naghihintay sa imbestigasyon na ito. sana mabigyan pansin na ng BIR
Oo nga dapat push to ng mga senators
For sure magiging ok din to
If BIR did it’s job, it should’ve not reach up to this point. Now even the Senate and Congress are
questioning BIR’s integrity.
Yup, and it is with good reason that the BIR’s integrity is being questioned. They have for so long shown bias and allowed Mighty to carry on even with the overwhelming evidence against the company. Even with the country losing billions, the BIR refuses to take action.
With the Senate looking over her shoulder, will Henares be forced to finally conduct a legitimate investigation on the allegations against Mighty Corp.? Or will she continue to do everything in her power to make sure the company walks away unscathed?
About time someone high up puts some muscle into this inquiry on Mighty. The BIR has for so long been abusing their position and defending the company, it’s high time a proper investigation is done.
The BIR has pushed this in the back burner for as long as they could, but they can’t keep protecting Mighty forever.