DOJ files tax raps vs Rappler, two others

November 30, 2018

Rappler, an online news website, and its two executives have been charged with tax evasion before the Court of Tax Appeals for violation of the National Internal Revenue Code (NIRC) of the Philippines.

The Department on Justice (DOJ) filed on Monday one count for violating Section 254 of Republic Act 8424, or the NIRC for attempting to evade or defeat tax. On  Wednesday, the DOJ filed three counts of willful failure to supply correct and accurate information in violation of Section 255 also of RA 8424.

The DOJ recommended a P60,000 bail for violating Section 254 and P24,000 for violating Section 255.

The filing came as Assistant State Prosecutor Zenamar Machacon-Caparros found probable cause to indict Rappler Holdings Corp. (RHC), its president Maria Ressa, and accountant Noel Baladiang.

The case arose from the complaint filed by the Bureau of Internal Revenue (BIR), which alleged that RHC’s 2015 tax returns did not reflect the total gains of almost P162.5 million which it realized from the issuance of its Philippine Depositary Receipts (PDRs) to NBM Rappler L.P. and Omidyar Network Find LLC. DMS