The Department of Justice has concluded its preliminary investigation into the P133-million tax evasion complaint filed against controversial online news site Rappler.
Assistant State Prosecutor Zenamar Machacon-Caparros, who is handling the preliminary investigation of the case, said tax case against Rappler is now deemed submitted for resolution after both parties submitted their respective memoranda, which listed the evidence presented during the preliminary investigation.
In its complaint filed with the DoJ, the Bureau of Internal Revenue accused Rappler Holdings Corporation and its executives-editor-in-chief Maria Ressa and treasurer James Bitanga-of violating Sections 254 and 255 in relation to Sections 253(d) and 256 of the National Internal Revenue Code for their willful for deliberate failure to supply correct and accurate information in its annual income tax return and value added tax returns in 2015. Rey E. Requejo
The BIR also accused Rappler’s certified public accountant Noel Baladiang for violating Section 257(A)(2) of the Tax Code for signing and certifying the financial statements of RHC despite the clear omission and misstatement of his client’s actual taxable income.