The Department of Justice (DOJ) clarified on Tuesday that the dismissal of three excise tax cases against contractors Sarah and Curlee Discaya does not affect other tax evasion charges and criminal complaints linked to the controversial flood control projects.
According to DOJ spokesperson Polo Martinez, the dropped cases are separate from the couple’s other legal exposures.
“The issue on the Discayas’ tax liabilities has nothing to do with any of their other existing or potential liabilities,” Martinez said in a message to reporters.
He added that the development also does not extend to other respondents involved in the flood control cases.
“It also has no effect on the liabilities of other individuals in the pending flood control cases,” Martinez added.
On Monday, the DOJ announced that prosecutors had dismissed the excise tax complaints filed by the Bureau of Internal Revenue (BIR) over alleged irregularities in the importation of six luxury vehicles registered under the Discayas’ names.
Prosecutors ruled that the couple were end consumers and not the importers, making them not the statutory taxpayers liable for excise taxes.
Despite the dismissal, the DOJ said it will still pursue two separate tax cases against the Discayas for allegedly concealing their true income in their 2020 and 2021 tax returns. These cases are set to be filed before the Court of Tax Appeals.