Guo faces tax evasion raps

MANILA, Philippines — Dismissed mayor Alice Guo of Bamban, Tarlac is facing a complaint for not paying P500,000 in capital gains tax on the purported sale of her shares in Baofu Land Development Inc.

The Bureau of Internal Revenue (BIR) yesterday filed before the Department of Justice a tax evasion complaint against Guo in connection with the transfer and later sale of her shares in Baofu Land.

According to BIR Commissioner Romeo Lumagui, the transfer of shares to a certain Jack Uy had no capital gains tax and documentary stamp tax, thereby violating the National Internal Revenue Code, particularly Section 254 (attempt to evade or defeat tax), Section 255 (failure to file CGT and DST returns), and Section 250 (failure to file/supply certain information).

Aside from Guo, also charged in the complaint were Uy, and Baofu corporate secretary Rachelle Joan Malonzo Carreon.

“We found that the taxes for this transfer of shares have not been paid, so it’s clear that there is tax evasion in this transaction,” Lumagui said.

If found guilty, the respondents of the case could face imprisonment.

He added that the audit being conducted by the BIR covers the entire business operations of Guo that were disclosed during the Senate hearing on her alleged ties to Philippine offshore gaming operators or POGOs.

The BIR chief said other tax complaints could also be filed against Guo and other persons.

Guo’s legal counsel Stephen David said he is now preparing Guo’s motion for reconsideration on her dismissal by the Office of the Ombudsman.

“The MR is a prerequisite so that we can elevate the case before the Court of Appeals through a petition for review,” David said over One PH’s “One Balita Pilipinas.”

He said Guo was disheartened by the ombudsman’s ruling but hopes that her camp can answer appropriately through its pleadings and motions for them to be able to “show their defense and the merit of her situation.”

David said he has been assured by the embattled former mayor that she remains in the Philippines. He surmises she is in “central Philippines.”

“She told me that she is still in the Philippines, she assured me of that. And of course, I believe in the capacity of our [Bureau