BIR wins ₱5.7B tax evasion case against Chinese nationals

The Bureau of Internal Revenue (BIR) secured a significant victory in a ₱5.7-billion tax evasion case after the Department of Justice (DOJ) ruled in its favor.

On March 13, 2025, the DOJ filed two criminal charges with the Court of Tax Appeals following a large-scale raid conducted by the BIR and CIDG last year targeting illegal cigarette operations in Valenzuela City and Bulacan.

The case involves five Chinese nationals responsible for a major illicit cigarette operation, with a tax liability of ₱5,764,761,450 and around 21,000 master cases of illegal cigarettes seized during the raid.

BIR Commissioner Romeo D. Lumagui Jr. highlighted the bureau's commitment to enforcing tax laws by stating that they will continue to take action against violators.

From February 24 to March 5, 2025, the BIR conducted a nationwide destruction of illicit cigarettes and unregistered machines, destroying over 14.3 million packs of contraband during the operation.