The Department of Justice building in Manila on September 7, 2022. George Calvelo, ABS-CBN News

MANILA — A large cosmetics manufacturer is set to face tax evasion raps for allegedly using 'ghost receipts' to lower its liabilities, the Department of Justice said on Friday. 

The DOJ said that it filed cases against Ever Bilena Cosmetics Inc on March 25 before the Quezon City Metropolitan Trial Court (MeTC) for tax evasion and failure to supply correct and accurate information in its tax returns. Also named in the charge were Ever Bilena President Dioceldo Sy, and Treasurer, Miami Siytaoco. 

"This is in relation to the Bureau of Internal Revenue’s intensified Run After Fake Transaction (RAFT) Program involving fake/fictitious receipts," the DOJ said.

A RAFT Task Force investigation showed that Ever Bilena used and claimed benefits from the ghost receipts issued by Decarich Supertrade Inc., a ghost company. 

The DOJ said the use of ghost receipts led to overstated expenses amounting to millions of pesos for Ever Bilena and thus lowered its taxable income. BIR Commissioner Romeo Lumagui filed a criminal complaint before the DOJ as the company allegedly failed to declare and pay the correct amount of tax due, the DOJ said.

"The filing of this case is a result of DOJ’s own investigation finding evidence of reasonable certainty of conviction that the allegation of tax evasion against Ever Bilena is sufficient to warrant conviction," the DOJ added.

Warrants of arrest will soon be issued against responsible corporate officers, the DOJ said.

ABS-CBN News is seeking Ever Bilena's side on the matter.