Jamaine Punzalan

Article (news)

Jekki Pascual

ABS-CBN News

<p>MANILA — The Bureau of Internal Revenue (BIR) on Thursday filed a tax evasion case before the Department of Justice (DOJ) against Wawao Builders owner Mark Allan Arevalo in connection with an alleged P48.39-million tax deficiency arising from a ghost flood-control project in Malolos City, Bulacan.</p><div><a href="https://www.abs-cbn.com/news/nation/2025/9/1/wawao-builders-exec-invokes-right-vs-self-incrimination-in-flood-control-probe-1848">Wawao Builders exec invokes right vs self-incrimination in flood control probe</a></div><p>The BIR said Wawao Builders secured a P77.20-million contract for the construction of a riverbank protection structure in Barangay Caingin, Malolos in January 2024. The firm collected a total of P72.37 million net of withholding tax in three tranches from March to April 2025. </p><p>But upon BIR’s verification, no project was done.</p><p>“He (Arevalo) received the money, but no flood control project was actually made. It&#x27;s a ghost project,” BIR Commissioner Charlito Mendoza said.</p><p>“And then when he filed his returns, he declared a cost for the alleged construction of the project. But since wala naman proyektong ginawa, so yung mga dineclare niya na deductions, operating costs are fictitious,” he said.</p><div><a href="https://www.abs-cbn.com/news/nation/2025/12/18/coa-flags-p330-5-million-flood-control-projects-in-bulacan-awarded-to-wawao-builders-1107">COA flags P330.5-M flood control projects in Bulacan awarded to Wawao Builders</a></div><p>Mendoza said they were reviewing more individuals linked to the flood control controversy. </p><p>“This is already the 13th case the BIR has filed. And the aggregated tax liability is now close to P9 billion na. And more cases are expected to be filed,” the official said. </p><p>BIR has filed last year similar complaints against Sarah Discaya, Curlee Discaya, and other officials of contractor firms linked to the flood control issue. </p><div><iframe width="729" height="410" src="https://www.youtube.com/embed/DET2AUmRmng" title="Hindi pagsagot ng Wawao Builders GM, ikinainis ng ilang senador | ABS-CBN News" frameBorder="0" allowfullscreen=""></iframe></div><div><br/></div><div> </div><div><br style="caret-color:rgb(0, 0, 0);color:rgb(0, 0, 0)"/></div>

<p>The Bureau of Internal Revenue (BIR) on Thursday filed criminal complaints against Wawao Builders owner Mark Allan Arevalo in connection with an alleged P48.39-million tax deficiency arising from a ghost flood-control project in Malolos City, Bulacan.</p>

The Bureau of Internal Revenue (BIR) on Thursday filed criminal complaints against Wawao Builders owner Mark Allan Arevalo in connection with an alleged P48.39-million tax deficiency arising from a ghost flood-control project in Malolos City, Bulacan.

BIR files tax evasion complaint vs Wawao Builders owner

News

Entertainment

Lifestyle

Sports

Metro.Style

More

Traffic

Manila

Horoscope

Nation

BIR files tax evasion complaint vs Wawao Builders owner

Jekki Pascual,

ABS-CBN News

Published Jan 08, 2026 09:35 AM PHT

|

Updated Jan 08, 2026 11:29 AM PHT

Read More:

BIR

Wawao Builders

Mark Allan Arevalo

tax evasion

ghost project

Malolos

Bulacan

corruption

flood control

baha

ABS-CBN is the leading media and entertainment company in the Philippines, offering quality content across TV, radio, digital, and film. Committed to public service and promoting Filipino values, ABS-CBN continues to inspire and connect audiences worldwide.

Corporate

Investors

Governance

International Distribution

Corporate

Governance

Investors

International Distribution

NPC Seal of Registration

Privacy Policy

AI Policy

Terms of Service

Advertise with Us

© 2026 ABS-CBN Corporation. All Rights Reserved.

NPC Seal of Registration

Privacy Policy

Terms of Service

AI Policy

Advertise with Us

© 2026 ABS-CBN Corporation. All Rights Reserved.

NPC Seal of Registration

Privacy Policy

Terms of Service

AI Policy

Advertise with Us

© 2026 ABS-CBN Corporation. All Rights Reserved.