DOJ approves filing of 17 tax cases against QC-based publishing firm

THE Department of Justice (DOJ) has approved the filing of 17 tax cases against the Quezon City-based Vibal Group, including its chief executive officer, for alleged violations of the National Internal Revenue Code ( NIRC).

The DOJ said it issued a resolution indicting Vibal Group, Inc., along with its CEO Kristine Mandigma, and controller Maricel Villas, for violation of Sections 254 (Attempt to Evade or Defeat Tax), and 255 ( Failure to File Return, Supply Correct and Accurate Information, Pay Tax, Withhold and Remit Tax and Refund Excess Taxes Withheld on Compensation), in relation to Section 253(d) and Section 256 of the NIRC of 1997.

The DOJ said the cases will be filed before the Regional Trial Court in Quezon City.

The Vibal Group’s core businesses included publishing, printing, systems integration, and technology solutions specialized for education, government, and private enterprise.

“It was discovered that respondent did not pay withholding tax on compensation from March to September 2021, expanded withholding tax from January to September 2021 and final withholding tax on income for the period January to March 2021,” the DOJ said, citing the resolution rendered by the DOJ prosecutors.

“While Vibal group, Inc. filed its returns, it did not pay the taxes,” it added.

The DOJ noted that the Bureau of Internal Revenue sent a collection notice to Vibal Group with an attached list of returns filed without corresponding payments and demanded the immediate settlement of the taxes within ten days from the receipt.

But despite receipt of the documents, Vibal allegedly failed to pay the subject deficiency taxes as of January 3, 2023.

The DOJ said non-payment of the withholding taxes were all “willful and deliberate due to respondent’s act of repeated filing of various returns without payment.”