The Supreme Court issued a decision in favor of Pilipinas Shell Petroleum Corp., the country’s second biggest oil refinery, on the abandonment case filed by the Bureau of Customs two decades ago.
The high tribunal said in the decision that “a perusal of the records reveals that there is neither any iota of evidence nor concrete proof offered and admitted to clearly establish that petitioner committed any fraudulent acts” and “that there is no factual finding of fraud established herein.”
Pilipinas Shell said it would await the finality of the decision before reversing the P1.36 billion provision it made.
Pilipinas Shell earlier set aside P1.36 billion to cover its financial exposure if the final decision was not in the company’s favor.
The Bureau of Customs filed a case against the company in 1996, alleging that the latter had failed to timely pay duties and taxes on crude imports.