Defense fears Corona ITR would be portrayed in bad light

MANILA, Philippines—The defense panel on Wednesday said the presentation of Chief Justice Renato Corona and his family’s income tax returns (ITRs) at the impeachment trial would tempt the public to make their own comparisons with copies of the defendant’s recently made public statement of assets, liabilities and net worth (SALN).

Defense team spokesperson lawyer Tranquil Salvador III told reporters before entering the plenary hall for the sixth day of the impeachment trial that they were worried at how the ITRs would be handled and made public once they are presented at the trial.

He said that the Chief Justice, like other public officials, was a member of various committees and may have other sources of income. “Pwedeng hulugan o nangutang (ang Chief Justice),” he offered.

He said that it would be best for the said documents to be assessed and checked by the court before being made public, “uploaded online” like the SALN.

“Iniiwasan (rin namin na ito ay) maging panimula ng mga di dapat mangyari,” Salvador stated.

Bureau of Internal Revenue Commissioner Kim Jacinto-Henares is testifying at the impeachment court on the original and certified true copies of the annual income tax returns (ITRs) of Corona, his wife Cristina, daughters Carla and Charina, son Francis, and son-in-law Constantino Castillo.