Ligots ask for more time to answer charges, says lawyer

MANILA, Philippines—Former military comptroller Jacinto Ligot and his wife Erlinda appeared at the Department of Justice Wednesday morning for a preliminary investigation of tax evasion charges filed against them by the Bureau of Internal Revenue.

The couple, accompanied by their lawyer Rafael Zialcita, emerged from the hearing room of prosecutor Stewart Allan Mariano at 10:45 a.m.

Zialcita said Mariano granted the Ligots’ appeal for more time to submit their counter-affidavit in answer to allegations by the BIR that they failed to declare assets worth P328 million in the past few years.

“We were given 10 more days to file our reply,” Zialcita said, adding that his clients belatedly received their copy of the complaint as Ligot was detained at the Senate and his wife was taking care of him.

Last March 10, the BIR filed tax evasion complaints before the DoJ against the Ligots for their alleged willful attempt to evade payment of taxes and failure to file income tax returns.

Based on the complaints, General Ligot failed to file his ITRs for taxable year 2001 while Erlinda failed to file hers from 2001 to 2004. The two also failed to declare their income net worth of P41.854 million in 2001; P103.6 million in 2002; P165.367 million in 2003; and P148.955 million in 2004.

During the DoJ hearing, the Ligots had their blood pressure taken. Zialcita said Erlinda was “a bit nervous” and her blood pressure had gone up to 140/100.

The couple declined to speak to mediamen.