FRANZ S. PUMAREN, a councilor of Quezon City and coach of a professional basketball team, faces taxes evasion raps filed by the Bureau of Internal Revenue (BIR) on Tuesday.

The BIR, through Assistant Commissioner James H. Roldan, filed the complaint against retail company All Best Chodvale Development Incorporated and its president, Mr. Pumaren, for allegedly failing to pay taxes amounting to more than P20.45 million in 2009.

Mr. Pumaren is currently serving his second term as councilor, and working as coach of the PBA’s GlobalPort Batang Pier team as well as the UAAP’s Adamson University Falcons.

2 RESTAURANTS
Also facing a tax evasion complaint worth P4.29 million is Bistro Italiano and its president, William A. Stelton, and treasurer, Lawrence C. Ong, for the taxable year 2007.

Another restaurant, Cebu Fiesta, is facing a complaint for almost P8 million for calendar year 2008.

Citing investigation records of BIR Quezon City, Mr. Roldan said the three companies were informed of their tax liabilities, but failed to make a reply or to comply with the notices.

“The respondents’ obstinate failure and continued refusal to pay their long overdue deficiency taxes, despite repeated demands, constitute willful failure to pay taxes due to the government,” Mr. Roldan said.

The three count as the 41st-43rd cases filed under the government’s Run After Tax Evaders program. — Kristine Joy V. Patag

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