By Perfecto T. Raymundo, Jr.
QUEZON CITY — The Bureau of Internal Revenue is continuing its vigorous commitment to eradicate the use of Ghost Receipts through its Run After Fake Transactions (RAFT) program.
Arising from the BIR’s criminal complaint filed on Nov. 22, 2023, the Department of Justice (DOJ) found prima facie evidence with reasonable certainty for conviction to charge Hilmarc’s Construction Corporation (Hilmarc’s) and its corporate officers, namely: Efren M. Canlas, Robert B. Henson, and Cristina Elisse F. Canlas, for the violation of Sections 254 and 255 of the National Internal Revenue Code (NIRC).
DOJ Secretary Jesus Crispin “Boying” C. Remulla filed on Feb. 26, 2025 eight criminal information against the government contractor and its corporate officers before the Court of Tax Appeals (CTA).
“The BIR has repeatedly warned the public not to use Ghost Receipts. We will file tax evasion charges against you. You will be arrested. Even if you are one of the largest government contractors in the country,” BIR Commissioner Romeo D. Lumagui, Jr. said.
“The BIR is grateful to the DOJ for its steadfast commitment in our war against Ghost Receipts. Together, we will make sure that under this administration, this tax evasion scheme will end,” he added.
Lumagui and the RAFT task force bared substantial discrepancies and material misrepresentations in Hilmarc’s’s tax filings for the taxable years 2013 and 2014.
It was found that Hilmarc’s benefited from the use of receipts issued by Ghost Companies, Everpacific Incorporated and Unimaker Enterprises, Inc.
The receipts were used as a deduction in its Income Tax Returns and claimed as an input tax in its VAT Return with the intent to lessen its taxes payable through illegal means.
The fraudulent act of Hilmarc’s had a negative impact on BIR’s tax collection.
“Defrauding the government [of] its due is similar to robbing off our citizens these essential services they deserve and ultimately need,” Remulla said.
This year, Lumagui boasted that the BIR has reached its collection goal for the year 2024.
“The BIR’s War against Ghost Receipts led the way in achieving our DBCC collection goal for 2024. We experienced a historic increase in VAT collection because of our RAFT task force,” Lumagui said.
Aside from imprisonment, Hilmarc’s is also liable for basic tax liabilities amounting to P176,363,284.77, which is deemed instituted in the criminal information.
Several warrants of arrest against the Officers of Hilmarc’s are expected to be issued by the CTA in the soonest possible time.
“Government contractors, who are profiting from taxes being paid by dutiful and compliant taxpayers, should not be using Ghost Receipts. You are already earning profit from contracts funded by tax collections. The least you can do is be compliant with your tax obligations, and not evade taxes through Ghost Receipts,” Lumagui said.
