The Bureau of Internal Revenue (BIR) on Thursday revealed that it has filed criminal tax evasion charges against 11 corporations – including television network GMA 7 and news website Inquirer.net before the Department of Justice (DoJ).

In a statement, the BIR said that the cases went through usual procedures and nevertheless they did not pay the taxes.

“Now the taxes have become due and demandable and the failure to pay the due and demandable taxes are crimes under the tax court hence the filing of these cases,” said BIR Assistant Commissioner James H. Roldan.

Named as respondents in the complaint against GMA and Inquirer are GMA chairman and chief executive officer Felipe Gozon and Inquirer.net president Paolo Prieto.

Meantime, BIR Deputy Commissioner Marissa O. Cabreros urged the public and officials of corporations concerned to avoid a similar predicament by availing of the BIR’s amnesty program for tax delinquents which will remain in effect until April.

Aside from INQ7, BIR’s Makati City office said the 10 other respondents area Ski Construction Group, Inc.; Prestige Cars Makati, Inc.; Lucky Charm Pub and Restaurant Corp.; Underground Logic, Inc.; JP Med Asian Pacific, Inc.; Information Products Corp.; Tridem Asia Publishing, Inc.; Integrated Dynamic Service, Inc.; Calcarries International, Inc.; and Eurobrokers International, Inc.