Businessman denies "tax cheat" tag

CEBU, Philippines - A Cebuano businessman recently subjected to a text propaganda labeling him as “Cebu’s biggest tax cheater” yesterday came out to defend himself.

Henry Sia who owns Modern School and Office Supply called a press conference to deny the text message coming from an anonymous source. Sia dismissed the accusation as something that was meant to besmirch his reputation as a businessman in good standing.

Sia said that since May 15 there were over a hundred text messages he received labeling him as “cheater”. The text message which spread like wild fire states that he sells P1.5 billion a year but is not issuing any invoice purposely to evade tax. Sia is reportedly paying only a few thousands to the government.

“I am paying my taxes religiously. The amount is quite exaggerated. That is not true. My business was already affected because of this text messages,” said Sia.

Sia was accompanied by his lawyer Vicente Fernandez III when he faced the members of the media yesterday.

Sia said that aside from such malicious text messages, the texter, who has at least 40 different cellphone numbers resorted to extortion.

“If you want all this malevolent texts to stop then you must sacrifice some funds to facilitate the end of all further embarrassment it may cause you. You know the drill. Just pay your way out of it. Some people will touch base with you soon. Di kami basta-basta na organisasyon-meron kaming impluwensya at kapangyarihan,” the text message reads.

Sia added that if indeed that he is a tax cheater, the complainant should forward the complaint to the Bureau of Internal Revenue considering that there is a 15-percent reward for those who can report cases of tax evasion.

Fernandez said that they already brought this matter to the National Bureau of Investigation, the Criminal Investigation and Detection Group and Globe Telecom for investigation.

“I will run after the culprit to the fullest extent of the law,” Sia added.

Sia further said that what surprises him is that all the contacts in his phonebook were being sent this malicious text messages.

While those who received the messages, the contacts in their phonebook will automatically send the messages without their consent.

“Ang nahitabo ani kadtong mapadad-an sa messages, inig open nila sa message, automatic nga ma text ang tanang contacts sa ilang phonebook. Grabe ni mga technology ang gigamit. Mao nang grabe na nikatag, abot na gud ni sa Mindanao ug Bataan,” he said.  (FREEMAN)