The Bureau of Internal Revenue (BIR) commends the Department of Justice (DOJ) for successfully filing 34 criminal charges against World Balance, also registered as CHG Global Inc. (CHGGI), in connection with ₱178.8 million in basic tax deficiencies.
On July 9, 2025, the DOJ filed 30 criminal Informations before the Court of Tax Appeals (CTA) against World Balance and its corporate officers for violations of Sections 254 and 255 of the National Internal Revenue Code of 1997, as amended (Tax Code). On July 16, 2025, four additional criminal Informations were filed before the Regional and Metropolitan Trial Courts of Caloocan City for violations of Sections 254, 255, and 267 of the Tax Code.
The BIR uncovered these fraudulent practices through its Run After Fake Transactions (RAFT) Program, which targets fictitious receipts issued by non-existent or ghost companies. World Balance’s scheme to evade correct tax payments constitutes willful tax evasion and deliberate misrepresentation in tax filings, covering taxable years 2018-2021.
The Informations implead World Balance officers Barnaby L. Chong and Bradley L. Chong, whose criminal liability is expressly provided under Sections 253(d) and 256 of the Tax Code. The DOJ also indicted Barnaby L. Chong, Bradley L. Chong, and Audrey Suzanne L. Chong for Section 267 violations for making untruthful declarations in World Balance’s Annual Income Tax returns.
Beyond criminal penalties, respondents are liable for ₱178,838,936.00 in basic tax liabilities. Upon probable cause findings by the courts, arrest warrants will be issued.
“We thank Secretary Remulla and the entire DOJ prosecution team for their swift and decisive action against World Balance and their use of Ghost Receipts. By working shoulder-to-shoulder with the DOJ, we are defending honest taxpayers and leveling the playing field against those who use ghost transactions to cheat the system,” Commissioner Romeo D. Lumagui, Jr. stated.
