DOJ dismisses tax raps vs Mighty Corp after BIR withdraws complaint

This, after the DOJ granted on October 2 the BIR motion to withdraw the three tax complaints it filed on September 26, 2017 against the cigarette firm.
(Photo By Department of Justice (Philippines) – Official Site of the DOJ, Public Domain)

MANILA — The Department of Justice (DOJ) has dismissed the tax evasion complaint filed by the Bureau of Internal Revenue (BIR) against local cigarette manufacturer Mighty Corporation.

This, after the DOJ granted on October 2 the BIR motion to withdraw the three tax complaints it filed on September 26, 2017 against the cigarette firm.

“The motion of Mighty, dated July 20, 2017, praying for remand and re-investigation of the instant cases as well as the submission dated September 7, 2017 are hereby rendered moot and academic by the instant motion to withdraw. Complainant BIR’s motion dated September 26, 2017 is hereby granted. The complaints in the instant cases are hereby withdrawn,” read the two-page resolution.

The cases cover the firm’s non-payment of excise taxes due its cigarette products and use of counterfeit tax stamps on its cigarette packs, which correspond to excise taxes valued by the BIR at a combined PHP37.88 billion.

Previously, Mighty Corp. offered to settle its tax liabilities for PHP25 billion. Justice Secretary Vitaliano Aguirre II earlier said the payment would be used for the construction of hospitals in Basilan province and Jolo, Sulu and the improvement of the Mary Johnston Hospital in Manila.