Chalssea Kate Echegoyen

Atty. Harry Roque along with Alpha Tolosa-Serranilla, sister of missing pharmaceutical executive Eduardo Tolosa, show the media a photo of primary suspect Carlo Cadampog as they appeal for him to appear before authorities regarding the case of the 50-year-old at the Department of Justice in Manila on September 7, 2022. Tolosa was last seen on July 19 whose charred SUV was later recovered in Pampanga. Roque said 4 witnesses claim that they took part in burying, exhuming, and later burning the body of Tolosa. George Calvelo, ABS-CBN News

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ABS-CBN News

<div><img src="https://od2-image-api.abs-cbn.com/prod/editorImage/177728799623020220907-roque-tollosa-doj-GC-5.jpg" style="width:960px" class="fr-fic fr-dib" alt="Atty. Harry Roque at the Department of Justice in Manila on September 7, 2022. George Calvelo, ABS-CBN News/File" width="960"/>Atty. Harry Roque at the Department of Justice in Manila on September 7, 2022. George Calvelo, ABS-CBN News/File</div>MANILA – The Bureau of Internal Revenue (BIR) has filed a criminal complaint before the Department of Justice against former presidential spokesperson Harry Roque, his wife, and an associate over alleged tax violations. In a press release, the BIR said the complaint was lodged on April 27 against Roque, his wife Mylah Reyes Roque, and his associate, Percival Sazon Ortega in connection with Biancham Holdings and Trading, Inc.BIR said its investigation found that the respondents allegedly failed to file required tax returns and pay taxes due on the transfer of shares of stock and an increase in authorized capital stock.The total estimated tax deficiency has reached more than P3.35 million, inclusive of surcharges and interest.Based on its findings, the BIR said there is probable cause to charge the respondents with willful attempt to evade taxes under Section 254 of the National Internal Revenue Code, as well as failure to file tax returns under Section 255. Under the law, tax evasion carries penalties of fines ranging from P500,000 to P10 million and imprisonment of six to 10 years, while failure to file returns may also result in fines and jail times of up to 10 years.  <div> </div><div>‘POLITICALLY MOTIVATED’</div><div> </div>Roque said the complaints “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.” He added that the complaint “is legally and factually baseless.” “There has been no issuance of shares whatsoever pursuant to any alleged increase in authorized capital stock. Absent actual issuance or subscription of shares, there is no taxable event that could give rise to liability under Philippine tax law,” Roque said in a Facebook post. “The allegations are therefore premised on a misunderstanding of basic corporate and tax principles.  Any suggestion of tax liability at this stage is unfounded and premature,” he added. Roque asserted that “all required tax returns have been properly and diligently filed in accordance with law.” “Any assertion of failure to comply with filing obligations is incorrect. We will address these allegations vigorously through all appropriate legal remedies and will fully engage in the proper judicial and administrative processes,” Roque said. “We remain confident that a fair and impartial review of the facts will confirm the correctness of our position. We call for fairness, restraint, and strict adherence to due process, and we will continue to defend our rights under the rule of law,” he said. Roque is facing a human trafficking case over his alleged ties to a Philippine Offshore Gaming Operator (POGO) hub.He left the Philippines in September 2024 after being cited for contempt for refusing to attend Senate hearings into offshore gambling sites allegedly used as fronts for criminal activities.In November of last year, he traveled to Vienna to process his asylum application.-- with a report from Job Manahan, ABS-CBN News

The BIR has filed a criminal complaint before the DOJ against former presidential spokesperson Harry Roque, his wife, and an associate.

The BIR has filed a criminal complaint before the DOJ against former presidential spokesperson Harry Roque, his wife, and an associate.

BIR files tax evasion rap vs Harry Roque, others

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BIR files tax evasion rap vs Harry Roque, others

Chalssea Kate Echegoyen,

ABS-CBN News

Published April 27, 2026 06:48 PM PHT

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Updated April 28, 2026 08:35 AM PHT

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Harry Roque

BIR

Tax evasion

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