For nth time, Purisima says he filed his ITR

Finance Secretary Cesar Purisima on Friday denied claims by opposition lawmakers that he had failed to file income tax returns for the years 2007 and 2008 and to include his higher net worth in his Income Tax Return (ITR) for 2009.

“Contrary to what the resolution reads, there is no truth to my having failed in filing my income tax returns for the years 2007 and 2008,” Purisima said in reaction to a resolution filed by at least 34 opposition congressmen seeking  an inquiry into the President Benigno Aquino III’s alleged failure to discipline erring members of his official family.

“I submitted a joint filing with my wife during those years, in which I was unemployed. I believe this was a matter sufficiently addressed during my confirmation hearings at the Senate last March 2 and May 8,” the finance chief added.

Purisima also explained that the increase in his assets between the years 2006 and 2009 could be attributed to his passive income as a private investor.

Passive income

He stressed that under the National Internal Revenue Code, final withholding taxes imposed on passive income of an individual such as interests, cash and property dividends, etc. are withheld at source by the payor-banks or corporations who concomitantly, are legally bound to file the appropriate tax return with the Bureau of Internal Revenue.

“These investments from which I drew passive income were fully disclosed in my SALN,” Purisima said.

Reacting to the same resolution, Malacañang on Friday called on members of the House of Representatives to refrain from becoming “tools for mudslinging.”

At a news briefing in Malacañang, Deputy Presidential spokesperson Abigail Valte said the administration would allow the government officials in question to attend the congressional hearings if they push through.

“We have always been cognizant of the power of Congress to initiate at investigation in aid of legislation. However, our only appeal to the members of the House is to not themselves be used as tools for mudslinging or for political purposes,” Valte said.

She also expressed confidence that the executives could deal with the expected grilling during the inquiry.

Rehash

“(I am) extremely confident that they can handle the allegations, that they will be able to… when asked, will be able to answer just as they have in the past,” Valte said.

She added that the issues raised against the officials have been answered by Malacañang “time and again.”

Valte said there’s also no directive for President Aquino’s allies in the House majority to refrain from participating in the proposed investigation.

“We are confident that if Congress calls for an investigation, the officials that would be summoned would attend. That has always been the policy of the Aquino administration,” Valte said.

On Thursday, Presidential spokesperson Edwin Lacierda indicated that the proposed House inquiry was a forum for “character assassination” by members of the opposition.

“We believe Congress should not be used as a venue for character assassination,” Lacierda said. With Norman Bordadora