DOJ files tax evasion raps vs cosmetic firm

The Department of Justice has filed tax evasion charges against cosmetic firm Ever Bilena and its corporate officers. 

The DOJ said four complaints have been filed against Ever Bilena’s president, Dioceldo S. Sy, and treasurer, Miami S. Siytaoco, on March 25 for “tax evasion and failure to supply correct and accurate information in its tax returns.” 

Per the Bureau of Internal Revenue’s investigation under its Run After Fake Transaction program, Ever Bilena allegedly used and claimed benefits from ghost receipts by a ghost company, Decarich Supertrade Inc. 

“The use of ghost receipts had resulted [in] Ever Bilena’s overstated expenses amounting to millions of pesos and lowered taxable income,” the DOJ said in the statement. 

It said that the cosmetics firm also failed to declare and pay the correct amount of tax due, prompting the BIR to file the criminal complaint on Feb. 1, 2024.

“This is an affirmative step which clearly conveys the government’s unwavering commitment to intensifying the prosecution of tax evasion cases under the Bagong Pilipinas governance where a reasonable certainty of conviction exists,” DOJ chief Jesus Crispin Remulla said. 

The warrants of arrest for the firm and its executives, Sy and Siytaoco, will be issued after they face the complaints before the Quezon City Court. 

Ever Bilena was founded in 1983 by Sy, dubbed the “father of Philippine cosmetics.” He also owns the Blackwater Elite in the Philippine Basketball Association. (With reports from Daphne Galvez)