BIR to probe pols' lifestyles; Discayas face P7-B tax case

The Bureau of Internal Revenue (BIR) is placing politicians and other personalities involved in the anomalous flood control projects under the microscope, as the agency conducts a lifestyle check.

- MARCO LUIS BEECH

BIR Commissioner Romeo Lumagui Jr. announced the move yesterday, during the filing of charges against controversial contractor couple Curlee and Sarah Discaya over their alleged P7.18 billion in tax liability.

"We are continuously conducting audits and investigations on all contractors, not just them. In fact, we are also carrying out lifestyle checks on other personalities," Lumagui said.

Stressing that the tax probe on the Discayas had started last year, Lumagui told reporters that the BIR is also conducting lifestyle checks on others involved in the alleged flood control corruption, including politicians.

"The BIR has nothing to do with the Discayas becoming state witnesses.

Whoever is chosen as a state witness, as far as we're concerned, is beyond our jurisdiction because we're dealing with taxes here. So even if they become state witnesses, they are still required to pay these taxes," Lumagui said after filing the tax charges.

He stated that the charges only cover the years 2018 to 2021, explaining that the investigation into other taxable years is still ongoing.