The Bureau of Internal Revenue (BIR) in Region 7 issued a closure order to a restaurant located in Lower Nivel Hills in Lahug, Monday morning.
BIR found out that Blu Tops, a Korean resto bar, had been under declaring their tax revenue for several years.
BIR assistant regional director Manuel Mapoy said that they had observed the establishment for 15 days. He said at least 30% of the gross tax revenue was under declared in 2013, 2014 and the first quarter of 2015.
While the accumulated tax liabilities, amounting to 5.8 million pesos, has not been paid, the restaurant will remain temporarily closed.
“It’s the first (closure order) for this year. It is not that easy to close establishments. We observe all legal procedure and legal rights. It took us almost a year to close another establishment,” Mapoy said.
Although the actual owners of the restaurant, both Korean nationals, were not present during the issuance of the order, the company’s president Marlita Robledo was there to acknowledge that they received the order.