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The BIR estimates the total tax deficiency to be more than P3.35 million, including surcharges and interest.
MANILA, Philippines – The Bureau of Internal Revenue (BIR) on Monday, April 26, filed a criminal complaint against former presidential spokesperson Harry Roque, his wife Mylah Reyes Roque, and Percival Sazon Ortega over alleged tax evasion linked to Biancham Holdings and Trading Inc.
The complaint, filed before the Department of Justice, alleges that the three failed to file required tax returns and pay taxes corresponding to the transfer of shares and increases in authorized shares.
The BIR estimates the total tax deficiency to be more than P3.35 million, including surcharges and interest.
According to the BIR, there is the possibility of charging Roques and Ortega with willful attempt to evade taxes under Section 254, and failure to file tax returns under Section 255 of the National Internal Revenue Code of 1997, as amended.
Biancham Holdings and Trading Inc. – a company previously owned by Roque and his associates – made headlines at the height of an investigation into illegal Philippine overseas gaming operators (POGOs), which mostly involved Chinese nationals.
During the Senate investigation on POGOs, it was revealed that Roque has business “interests” in a house in Tuba, Benguet, where A Chinese fugitive was arrested.
The house is owned by a corporation called PH2, which is owned by Roque’s family corporation, Biancham Holdings and Trading.
Roque has been out of the country after being linked to the POGO controversy. His passport was canceled in November 2025. – Rappler.com
