The Department of Justice (DOJ) dismissed for insufficiency of evidence the criminal complaint against GMA Network Chairman and CEO Atty. Felipe L. Gozon in relation to INQ7 Interactive Inc. (INQ7)’s tax deficiency case filed by the Bureau of Internal Revenue (BIR).
In the DOJ Resolution dated March 4, 2021, Prosecutor General Benedicto A. Malcontento dismissed the complaint against Gozon after finding that he had no participation in INQ7’s alleged violation of Section 255, in relation to Sections 253(d) and 245, of the National Internal Revenue Code (NIRC) of 1997, as amended.
The case was filed against INQ7 along with its chairman, Gozon, and president Paolo R. Prieto.
Gozon, in his counter-affidavit, asserted that he cannot be held liable for the said tax deficiencies of INQ7 for the following reasons: (1) as chairman of the board, he has no participation in INQ7’s conduct of the business or in the exercise of its corporate powers; and (2) he is not involved in the preparation of the financial statements, computation of tax liabilities, and payment of taxes. INQ7 has ceased operation as of 31 December 2006.
INQ7 was a former joint venture between GMA and Philippine Daily Inquirer.
