ON March 25, 2025, the Department of Justice (“DOJ”) filed four (4) criminal Informations before the Quezon City Metropolitan Trial Court (MeTC) Branch 33 against Ever Bilena Cosmetics, Inc. (“Ever Bilena”), a leading cosmetics company, and its responsible corporate officers Dioceldo S. Sy, President, and Miami S. Siytaoco, Treasurer, for tax evasion and failure to supply correct and accurate information in its tax returns.
This is in relation to the Bureau of Internal Revenue’s (“BIR”) intensified Run After Fake Transaction (“RAFT”) Program involving fake/fictitious receipts.
Based on the Investigation of the RAFT Task Force, Ever Bilena used and claimed benefits from the Ghost Receipts issued by Decarich Supertrade Inc., a ghost company.
The use of ghost receipts had resulted to Ever Bilena’s over-stated expenses amounting to millions of pesos and lowered taxable income. Consequently, it failed to declare and pay the correct amount of tax due.
Hence, on February 1, 2024, the BIR, headed by Commissioner Lumagui, filed a criminal complaint against Ever Bilena before the DOJ.
“This is an affirmative step which clearly conveys the government’s unwavering commitment to intensifying the prosecution of tax evasion cases under the Bagong Pilipinas governance where a reasonable certainty of conviction exists,” Secretary Remulla stressed.
“I thank Commissioner Lumagui for the BIR’s relentless efforts in our continuous pursuit for justice, specifically in the realm of enforcing our tax laws,” added Secretary Remulla.
The filing of this case is a result of DOJ’s own investigation finding evidence of reasonable certainty of conviction that the allegation of tax evasion against Ever Bilena is sufficient to warrant conviction.
Ever Bilena, a large cosmetic company, has to defend itself before the Quezon City Court as warrants of arrest will soon be issued against it and its responsible corporate officers.
