MANILA -- The Bureau of Internal Revenue (BIR) filed Thursday tax evasion complaints against Ang Galing party-list Representative Juan Miguel Arroyo and his wife at the Department of Justice.
The BIR filed P73.85-million tax evasion complaints, inclusive of surcharges, interests, against Arroyo and his wife Angela.
BIR commissioner Kim Henares said Arroyo, the son of former President and now Pampanga Representative Gloria Arroyo, did not file their Internal Tax Revenue (ITR) in 2005, 2008, and 2009, while his wife failed to file ITR from 2003 to 2009.
BIR investigation showed the couple owned residential houses in the United States, in Lubao, Pampanga and La Vista Subdivision in Quezon City. They also declared as assets motor vehicles, shares of stock, jewelry, clothes and other personal effects.
"The Arroyos’ act of non-filing of their income tax returns is evident of their fraudulent scheme to defeat payment of taxes," the BIR said.
For his part, Ruy Rondain, lawyer of Arroyo, said in a television interview that his client was shocked with BIR tax evasion charge.
He said Arroyo filed his ITR on 2005, 2008, 2009.
"I don't know where P73M figure came from," he said.
Rondain added his client received notice from the BIR on April 5 and he was given 10 days to respond.
Arroyo, also in a television interview, said he was not given due process by the BIR after it filed the case even if the 10-day period of explanation has not lapsed.
“They asked me to explain if I paid the right taxes so I was supposed to be given 10 days to show them the proper documentation…so it comes to a surprise to me that they filed a case against me right away without due notice. They’re harassing me,” he said.
He added everything he owns is stated in his statement of assets and liabilities (SALN).
Although he lauded the government’s efforts for going after tax evaders, the party-list representative scored the Aquino administration for failing to address issues affecting most Filipinos.
“If they have waited fof my explanation then okay sana but maybe they want to harass me because they’re not doing anything to solve the rise of oil, the rise of pamasahe, rise of pandesal so ginagawa nila ito,” Arroyo added.
The BIR also filed tax evasion complaint against Brazilian model/actress Diana Menezes saying she did not file ITR from 2007 to 2009.
Menezes was asked by BIR to settle P983,658.07 in deficiency taxes with surcharges, interests.
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