Former presidential spokesperson Harry Roque said the tax evasion complaint filed by the BIR against him, his wife Mylah, and lawyer Percival Ortega is “legally and factually baseless” and part of what he called harassment of allies of former President Rodrigo Duterte.
The complaint stemmed from alleged failure to file tax returns and pay taxes tied to the transfer of shares and capital stock changes of Biancham Holdings and Trading, Inc.
“These filings form part of a continuing pattern of actions which we believe are politically motivated and intended to harass and pressure individuals associated with, or perceived to be supportive of, the Duterte administration. We view these developments with serious concern as they raise fundamental issues regarding fairness, equal protection, and the impartial administration of justice,” Roque said.
He also denied liability, insisting there was no taxable transaction, and said no shares were actually issued or subscribed.
“Absent actual issuance or subscription of shares, there is no taxable event that could give rise to liability under Philippine tax law,” he said.
Roque added that they had properly filed all required tax returns and that claims of non-compliance were “incorrect,” stressing the case is based on a misunderstanding of tax and corporate rules.
He called for a fair and impartial review, saying they committed no wrongdoing and urging respect for due process.
Roque left the country in 2024 amid a House probe on POGO links. He later sought asylum in the Netherlands, but his case was transferred to Austria.
A Pasig court also ordered the cancellation of his passport over a human trafficking case, saying he gave no valid reason for staying abroad, indicating “an intent to evade the long arm of the law.”IMT
