President open to tax evaders deal

President Rodrigo Duterte said Friday that he is open to a compromise with tax evaders, in accordance with the law that allows such an arrangement between the government and a taxpayer.

Speaking at the 31st biennial convention of the Federation of Filipino-Chinese Chambers of Commerce and Industry Inc. in Pasay City, the President said settling the liabilities of tax payers with government are “not illegal and not unlawful.”

He said he is willing to compromise with anyone who is facing imminent tax case.

“Even those with evasion of taxes, the law allows a compromise. The law allows a compromise and I will allow compromises, rather than other party filing a case, then, from Tax Court of Appeals to the Court of Appeals then to the court. It will be decided 10 years from now,” Duterte said.

“It is not illegal. It is not unlawful

Even those with evasion of taxes, the law allows a compromise...I will allow compromises. President Rodrigo Duterte

for me to suggest this because rather than, you know, if they choose to fight it in the court and it is so very slow process, I would rather that a compromise be made. No particular party. It could be whoever. We can enter into a compromise. I am suggesting it so that I can use the money,” he added.

Duterte earlier expressed willingness to absolve Alexander Wongchuking, owner of home-grown cigarette firm Mighty Corporation, from tax evasion case if he pays P3 billion, or double the amount of his P1.08-billion unpaid excise tax.

Finance Secretary Carlos Dominguez III, however, had wanted to pursue the filing of case against Wongchuking, even after Duterte offered settlement with the businessman.

Bureau of Internal Revenue (BIR) Commissioner Caesar Dulay, on the other hand, had said it can be done under the law but stressed that the President had not talked to him personally about the tax compromise with the local cigarette company’s owner.

The President said he wants to enter into a compromise settlement deal with tax evaders to accumulate money, which can be used for construction of hospitals in the country, particularly in Basilan and in Jolo.