The Department of Justice (DOJ) has filed 30 criminal cases before the Court of Tax Appeals (CTA) against CHG Global Inc. (formerly World Balance International) and its owners for alleged tax evasion, the Bureau of Internal Revenue (BIR) announced on Monday.

In a statement, the BIR said the cases were filed on July 9 against Barnaby Chong and Bradley Chong for violating Sections 254 (Attempt to Evade or Defeat Tax) and 255 (Failure to Supply Correct and Accurate Information) of the National Internal Revenue Code (NIRC).

Barnaby, Bradley, and Audrey Suzanne Chong were also charged under Section 267 for allegedly making false declarations in World Balance’s annual income tax returns and related documents.

The total civil liability from these alleged offenses amounts to around PHP178.89 billion.

In addition, the DOJ filed four separate criminal informations before the Regional and Metropolitan Trial Courts of Caloocan City on July 16.

The charges stem from complaints initially lodged by the BIR, which has intensified its campaign against tax fraud through the Run After Fake Transactions (RAFT) Program. RAFT targets schemes involving fake receipts from non-existent or “ghost” companies used to evade taxes.

“We thank Secretary Jesus Crispin Remulla and the DOJ prosecution team for their swift action against World Balance and its use of ghost receipts. By working closely with the DOJ, we are protecting honest taxpayers and ensuring a fair playing field against those who cheat the system,” BIR Commissioner Romeo Lumagui Jr. said.