The Bureau of Internal Revenue (BIR) announced on Thursday that multiple criminal tax cases have been filed against three former public works officials implicated in anomalies in flood control projects in Bulacan. The Department of Justice (DOJ) has approved the filing of 44 criminal tax cases against former Department of Public Works and Highways (DPWH) officials Jaypee De Leon Mendoza, Henry Alcantara, and Brice Ericson Hernandez, with total tax liabilities exceeding PHP1.68 billion.
DOJ Finds Probable Cause
In three separate resolutions, the DOJ found probable cause to charge Mendoza, Alcantara, and Hernandez with tax evasion under Section 254 and related violations under Section 255 of the National Internal Revenue Code, as amended. For Mendoza, a DOJ resolution dated March 26, 2026, recommended 16 criminal informations covering taxable years 2021 to 2024, involving total income tax liabilities of over PHP179.7 million. The BIR investigation found significant underdeclarations of income, constituting prima facie evidence of false or fraudulent returns.
In a separate resolution dated May 30, 2026, the DOJ recommended 18 criminal informations against Alcantara covering taxable years 2022 to 2024, with total tax liabilities of over PHP913.8 million. The BIR found a significant disparity between Alcantara's income and his acquisitions, and no income tax returns (ITRs) were filed for those years.
Hernandez Cases
For Hernandez, a DOJ resolution dated May 21, 2026, recommended 10 criminal informations covering taxable years 2020 to 2024, with total tax liabilities exceeding PHP593.7 million. The BIR investigation found that Hernandez's expenditures substantially exceeded his reported income for five consecutive years, and no ITRs were filed for those years.
BIR Commissioner Charlito Martin Mendoza stated, "The DOJ's finding of probable cause is an important milestone in the enforcement process. These cases demonstrate the Bureau's continuing commitment to enforce the tax laws based on evidence and in accordance with the law." He emphasized that the Bureau will continue pursuing tax evasion cases against individuals who conceal income, fail to file returns, or otherwise violate the country's tax laws. "The Bureau will continue to enforce the tax laws firmly, fairly, and consistently, while respecting due process at every stage of the proceedings," Mendoza added.
