MANILA: The Philippines said Friday it has dropped a tax evasion case against the country’s number-two cigarette manufacturer after it was sold to Japan Tobacco to raise funds for a record 30 billion-peso (SR220.8 million) settlement.
Manila had accused Mighty Corp. of using counterfeit tax stamps to avoid paying 37.88 billion pesos in taxes, and threatened it with criminal charges.
However in July, President Rodrigo Duterte ordered the finance department to accept a settlement, under which Mighty, which has 23 percent of the local cigarette market, would drop out of the tobacco business.
“We could consider this case as closed. (The) government of the Philippines is 40 billion pesos richer,” Justice Secretary Vitaliano Aguirre told reporters.
The company settled the case with a 30-billion-peso payment, and paid another 10 billion pesos in taxes and penalties, he explained.
Mighty had originally offered a 25-billion-peso settlement, Aguirre added.
The company sold off its assets to Japan Tobacco International in order to meet its tax deficiencies, the finance department said earlier.
The Japanese firm, one of the world’s biggest tobacco companies, whose global brands include Winston and Camel, announced on August 22 that it was purchasing Mighty for 46.8 billion pesos.
Asked to comment on the justice department decision, a Japan Tobacco spokesman in Japan said “the tax liability is an issue that should be solved appropriately between Mighty Corp. and the Philippine government.”
Philippine tobacco giant pays $586 million to settle tax case
Philippine tobacco giant pays $586 million to settle tax case
Closing Bell: Saudi equities continue 4-day upward trend
RIYADH: Saudi equities closed higher on Wednesday, with the Tadawul All Share Index rising 51.52 points, or 0.47 percent, to finish at 10,945.15.
Trading activity was robust, with 373.9 million shares exchanged and total turnover reaching SR6.81 billion.
The MT30 Index also ended the session in positive territory, advancing 11.93 points, or 0.82 percent, to 1,472.82, while the Nomu Parallel Market Index declined 116.82 points, or 0.49 percent, to 23,551.47, reflecting continued volatility in the parallel market.
The main market saw 90 gainers against 171 decliners, indicating selective buying.
On the upside, Al Kathiri Holding Co. led gainers, closing at SR2.18, up SR0.12, or 5.83 percent. Wafrah for Industry and Development Co. advanced to SR23, gaining SR0.99, or 4.5 percent, while Al Ramz Real Estate Co. rose 4.35 percent to close at SR60.
SABIC Agri-Nutrients Co. added 4.21 percent to SR118.70, and Al Jouf Agricultural Development Co. climbed 4.12 percent to SR45.
Meanwhile, losses were led by Saudi Industrial Export Co., which fell 9.73 percent to SR2.69. United Cooperative Assurance Co. declined 5.08 percent to SR3.74, while Thimar Development Holding Co. dropped 4.54 percent to SR35.30.
Abdullah Saad Mohammed Abo Moati for Bookstores Co. retreated 4.15 percent to SR48.50, and Gulf Union Alahlia Cooperative Insurance Co. slipped 3.96 percent to SR10.44.
On the announcement front, Saudi National Bank announced its intention to issue US dollar-denominated Additional Tier 1 capital notes under its existing international capital programe, with the final size and terms to be determined subject to market conditions and regulatory approvals.
The planned issuance aims to strengthen Tier 1 capital and support the bank’s broader financial and strategic objectives.
The stock closed at SR42.70, gaining SR0.70, or 1.67 percent, reflecting positive investor reaction to the capital management move.
Separately, Almasane Alkobra Mining Co. said its board approved the establishment of a wholly owned simplified joint stock company to provide drilling, exploration and related support services, with a share capital of SR100 million and headquarters in Najran, subject to regulatory approvals.
The new subsidiary aligns with the company’s strategy to enhance operational efficiency and expand its role in the Kingdom’s mining sector.
Shares of Almasane Alkobra Mining closed at SR98.70, up SR0.30, or 0.3 percent, by the end of the session.
