Tax Evasion Case Filed Against Ever Bilena Puts Blackwater Bossing’s Future in Jeopardy
The Philippine Basketball Association (PBA) may soon see another franchise put up for sale, following a major legal development involving one of its team owners.
The Department of Justice (DOJ) has formally filed four criminal complaints against Ever Bilena Cosmetics Incorporated, its founder and president Dioceldo Sy, and treasurer Miami Siytaoco, for tax evasion and falsifying tax returns. This development places not only the company’s cosmetics empire under scrutiny, but also casts a shadow over its PBA team — the Blackwater Bossing.
According to the DOJ, the charges stem from the Bureau of Internal Revenue’s (BIR) Run After Fake Transactions (RAFT) program. Investigations revealed that Ever Bilena allegedly used ghost receipts from a fictitious company, Decarich Supertrade Inc., to overstate expenses and thus underreport taxable income. The resulting tax liability? A staggering ₱1.6 billion.
“The use of ghost receipts had resulted in Ever Bilena’s overstated expenses amounting to millions of pesos and lowered taxable income. Consequently, it failed to declare and pay the correct amount of tax due,” said the DOJ in a statement.
The DOJ concluded that there is “reasonable certainty of conviction”, giving the court sufficient ground to proceed with the criminal cases. Should the Quezon City court find the evidence compelling, it may issue warrants of arrest against Sy and Siytaoco.
This puts Ever Bilena — and by extension, Blackwater Bossing — in a precarious position.
A Blow to Blackwater’s Stability?
While Dioceldo Sy is widely known as the “father of Philippine cosmetics,” PBA fans recognize him as the figure behind Blackwater, a franchise that joined the league in 2014 and has since struggled to find consistent success. The team has faced criticisms for its lackluster performance and questionable roster moves, but Sy has always stood firm in his commitment to keep Blackwater in the league.
That commitment, however, may now be in serious doubt.
With Sy and Ever Bilena now facing a possible protracted legal battle — and a potential financial blow of over a billion pesos — questions are rising about the future of the Blackwater Bossing franchise. Operational costs, player salaries, and league participation are all expensive commitments that could become increasingly difficult to sustain under the weight of a major tax case.
Is a Franchise Sale on the Horizon?
This development comes on the heels of separate talks about the possible sale of the Terrafirma Dyip franchise to Starhorse Shipping Lines. With two PBA franchises now surrounded by uncertainty, it may only be a matter of time before the board of governors is faced with back-to-back ownership transitions.
Should the situation worsen for Ever Bilena, selling the Blackwater franchise may emerge as a strategic move to protect the company’s core business — or simply raise badly needed funds. The PBA has long had its share of team ownership turnover, but two franchises potentially changing hands within a season would be a significant shake-up.
Final Thoughts
As the DOJ ramps up its campaign against tax evasion, the consequences are already rippling beyond the business world and into the sports industry. Dioceldo Sy’s legal battle may only be beginning, but the chances that Blackwater Bossing will soon have a new owner just increased dramatically.
In the ever-evolving landscape of the PBA, a sale may no longer be a question of "if" — but "when."
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