Coronas no-show in DoJ for tax raps preliminary investigation

Former Chief Justice Renato Corona. SENATE POOL

MANILA, Philippines–Former Chief Justice Renato Corona on Tuesday failed to appear before the Department of Justice for the start of the preliminary investigation on the tax evasion case filed against him.

Aside from Corona, his daughter Ma. Carla Beatriz and son-in-law Constantino are also absent.

Atty. Reinard Sanchez, counsel for the Coronas asked the DoJ to give them time to prepare their counter-affidavit.

The DoJ panel gave the Coronas up to Oct. 5 to appear before them and submit a counter-affidavit otherwise the case will be submitted for resolution.

The Bureau of Internal Revenue last Aug. 30 filed a  tax evasion case worth P150.68 million at the DoJ.

Based on the BIR complaint, Commissioner Kim Henares said Corona did not declare all his assets in his Statement of Assets Liabilities and Networth.

Aside from the bank deposits, he also did not declare two real estate properties he acquired during his stint in government: a condominium unit at the Columns on Ayala Avenue that he bought for P3.6 million in 2004 and a property in Fort Bonifacio that he bought for P9.16 million in 2005.