Cockpit owner in tax probe

A cockpit operator faces a criminal complaint before the Department of Justice (DOJ) for allegedly owing the government over ₱21 million in taxes. The Bureau of Internal Revenue (BIR) filed the complaint against Ruben Andres Fortuno III who is based in Pawa, Tabaco City in Albay province. In its complaint, the BIR accused Fortuno of willful attempt to evade the payment of income taxes, willful failure to file income tax returns and to pay the corresponding taxes thereon, and failure to file other percentage taxes as defined and penalized under Sections 254 and 255 of the National Internal Revenue Code of 1997 as amended. Fortuno is the sole proprietor of Tabaco Sports Areno, a cockpit located in Pawa. However, the BIR said verification records showed that there were no available records of any income and business taxes filed with the BIR for taxable years 2011-2015.