Meralco says P85.3-billion tax due allegation baseless.

(From BusinessWorld (Philippines))

Byline: Ira May Joyce P. Pedrasa

Allegations that it owes the government as much as P85.3 billion in taxes are baseless, the Manila Electric Co. (Meralco) yesterday said.

The power firm said it has not yet received any complaints from the Bureau of Internal Revenue (BIR) that will indeed prove that it has to pay taxes arising from its settlement case with the National Power Corp.

"Anyone can file a complaint but what is paramount is if there is a basis for such a complaint. As far as Meralco is concerned, there is absolutely none. In fact, we view this as a simple case of harassment to malign and destroy …