Caparas ordered arrested over tax evasion case

Carlo Caparas and Donna Villa. INQUIRER PHOTO

MANILA, Philippines–The Court of Tax Appeals has ordered the arrest of director Carlo J. Caparas in connection with his P101,819,722.19 tax evasion case.

Caparas is facing a case for violation of the National Internal Revenue Code (NIRC) for failing to file Value-Added Tax (VAT) Returns for the years 2006 to 2009.

The NBI has confirmed that it already has a copy of the warrant.

BIR investigated Caparas following a television news report about two television shows funded by the Philippine Charity Sweepstakes Office (PCSO) and produced by Caparas.

The two shows entitled “Ang Pangarap Kong Jackpot” and “Kroko” were apparently part of the P1.3-billion contracts entered into by PCSO and Caparas, for which he received a total of P850.95 million from the years 2006 to 2009.

In his defense, Caparas argued that the amount he received from PCSO was all “net of taxes” and PCSO should have already withheld the taxes due and remitted them to the BIR.

He also presented documentary evidence to prove that he had filed ITRs for the subject years.

However, the DOJ said that unlike in the case of his ITRs, Caparas did not present any documentary evidence to prove that he filed VAT Returns.