By Perfecto T. Raymundo, Jr.
QUEZON CITY — The Bureau of Internal Revenue (BIR) on Monday (July 21) commended the Department of Justice (DOJ) for the successful filing of 34 criminal cases before the Court of Tax Appeals (CTA) and the Courts of Caloocan City against World Balance, which is also registered as CHG Global Inc. (CHGGI), for the alleged PHP178.8 million basic tax deficiencies.
“We thank Secretary Remulla and the entire DOJ prosecution team for their swift and decisive action against World Balance and their use of Ghost Receipts,” BIR Commissioner Romeo D. Lumagui, Jr. said.
“By working shoulder-to-shoulder with the DOJ, we are defending honest taxpayers and leveling the playing field against those who use ghost transactions to cheat the system,” Lumagui added.
The DOJ filed on July 9, 2025 before the CTA 30 criminal charges against World Balance and its corporate officers for violations of Sections 254 and 255 of the National Internal Revenue Code of 1997, as amended (Tax Code).
It also filed on July 16, 2025 additional four criminal cases before the Regional and Metropolitan Trial Courts of Caloocan City for violations of Sections 254, 255, and 267 of the Tax Code.
The BIR found these fraudulent practices through its Run After Fake Transactions (RAFT) Program, which targets the use of fictitious receipts issued by non-existent or ghost companies.
The scheme used by World Balance to evade the correct payment of taxes constitutes willful tax evasion and deliberate misrepresentation in its tax filings, covering taxable years 2018, 2019, 2020 and 2021.
Charged were the officers of World Balance, namely: Barnaby L. Chong and Bradley L. Chong.
Their criminal liability is expressly provided under Sections 253(d) and 256 of the Tax Code.
The DOJ also charged Barnaby L. Chong, Bradley L. Chong and Audrey Suzanne L. Chong for violation of Section 267 for making untruthful declaration, return, and other statement in the Annual Income Tax returns of World Balance.
Aside from criminal penalties, the respondents are also liable for the payment of PHP178,838,936.00 in basic tax liabilities.
Upon a finding of probable cause by the courts, warrants of arrest will be issued. ###
