The Bureau of Internal Revenue (BIR) has ordered the issuance of Letters of Authority (LOAs) to conduct tax audits on Vice President Sara Z. Duterte, her husband Manases R. Carpio, and nine businesses linked to the couple.
Probable Cause Found
According to the BIR, this step results from a thorough examination showing probable cause to initiate formal audit investigations on the mentioned taxpayers. Revenue officers assigned to each case will be empowered to examine books of accounts and other accounting records of the subject entities.
Basis for the Audit
The BIR stated that the order for LOAs is based on third-party information, including data from public and official sources, in accordance with Section 5 of the National Internal Revenue Code (NIRC). The Bureau also considered testimony from the Office of the Ombudsman regarding Vice President Duterte's Statements of Assets, Liabilities, and Net Worth (SALNs), as well as reports from the Anti-Money Laundering Council (AMLC) released during the impeachment proceedings of the House of Representatives against the Vice President.
Businesses Subject to Audit
- Carpio Lawyers (formerly Carpio & Duterte Lawyers)
- Zelta Matiem Salon
- City Hall King Chow Foods Corporation
- Davao Bounty Times Foods Corporation
- Madayaw Fisheries Inc.
- Davao Emerging Taipans Corporation
- Amianan Shores, Inc.
- Cale88 Foods Corporation
- Geometry Security and Investigation Agency, Inc.
