THE Bureau of Internal Revenue (BIR) has filed multiple tax evasion charges against contractor couple Pacifico “Curlee” Discaya II and Cezarah Rowena “Sarah” Discaya over P7.18 billion in alleged unpaid taxes of St. Gerrard Construction Gen. Contractor & Development Corp.
BIR Commissioner Romeo Lumagui Jr. said the charges cover several investigations, including the couple’s unpaid individual income taxes from 2018 to 2021, excise taxes on nine luxury vehicles, and documentary stamp taxes related to their supposed divestment from four Discaya-owned construction firms.
Lumagui described the charges as “just the tip of the iceberg,” noting that ongoing audits of their companies could uncover billions more in tax deficiencies.
The BIR said the couple never filed the required documentary stamp tax returns nor paid the taxes needed to formalize their claimed divestment from St. Gerrard, St. Timothy, St. Matthew, and Alpha & Omega.
The agency also found that the Discayas failed to file excise tax returns and pay taxes on their luxury vehicles.
Lumagui vowed to pursue further cases once audits are complete, emphasizing that the BIR will hold the Discayas and other contractors involved in anomalous flood control projects accountable for violating tax laws.
