BIR accuses Napoles couple of delaying proceedings on tax case
MANILA, Philippines—The Bureau of Internal Revenue (BIR) accused Janet Lim-Napoles and husband Jaime Napoles of delaying the proceedings in their tax-evasion case pending before the Department of Justice.
On Tuesday’s second preliminary investigation, lawyer Chris Saunar of the BIR urged the Department of Justice panel to submit the case for resolution and consider the Napoles couple to have waived their right to air their side by submitting a counter-affidavit.
The Napoles couple again failed to appear during Tuesday’s preliminary investigation. Instead, another lawyer, Francisco Tolentino, appeared on their behalf and sought another extension to submit their counter affidavit.
“Considering that this is already a second setting…now asking another postponement, so as not to further delay the proceedings, we move to submit this case for resolution,” the BIR counsel said.
Janet-Lim Napoles inside his cell in Fort Sto. Domingo CONTRIBUTED PHOTO/PNP/PIO
The government is running after P44.68-million unpaid taxes from Napoles and P16.43-million tax liability from her husband.
But the DoJ, through Senior Assistant State Prosecutor Edna Valenzuela said “in the interest of justice, we will give respondents until Nov. 19.”
Valenzuela said Nov. 19 is the last deadline set for the Napoles couple.
On the other hand, the DoJ gave Jeane Catherine Napoles also up to the 19th to submit her counter affidavit on the separate P32.06 million tax-evasion complaint by the BIR.
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