BIR orders tax audit on VP Sara Duterte, husband, linked firms

MANILA  (April 29) — The Bureau of Internal Revenue (BIR) has ordered a tax audit covering Vice President Sara Duterte, her husband Manases R. Carpio, and nine business entities linked to the couple.

In a statement Tuesday, the BIR said it has issued Letters of Authority (LOAs), allowing revenue officers to examine books of accounts, financial records, and other documents as part of a formal audit.

The agency said the move followed a “careful determination” that there is probable cause to conduct a full audit to ensure the correct taxes are paid.

“This will be a rules-based approach in determining the truth,” said BIR Commissioner Charlito Martin Mendoza.

He added that the process will follow strict procedures under the Bureau’s Run After Tax Evaders (RATE) program, which targets tax evasion and fraud cases.

“The end objective is to collect the correct taxes due to the government,” Mendoza said, stressing that audited parties will be accorded full rights and due process.

The BIR did not disclose further details on the specific transactions or tax periods under review.