Arroyo son, wife face tax evasion raps, says BIR

MANILA, Philippines – (UPDATE 2) The lawmaker son of former president Gloria Macapagal-Arroyo and his wife are facing tax evasion charges, Bureau of Internal Revenue chief Kim Henares said Thursday in a press conference at the Department of Justice.

Ang Galing Pinoy partylist Congressman Juan Miguel “Mikey” Arroyo and his wife, Maria Angela, have been assessed a total tax liability of at least P73.85 million, inclusive of surcharges and interest, Henares said.

Henares said the lawmaker did not file his Income Tax Return (ITR) for taxable years 2005, 2008 and 2009 while his wife did not file any return from 2003 to 2009.

Meanwhile, Congressman Arroyo’s wife bought several real and personal properties from 2004 to 2009 but failed to file any annual Income Tax Return (ITR) and pay the corresponding taxes due.

“The Arroyos act of non-filing of their income tax returns is evident of their fraudulent scheme to defeat payment of taxes,” Henares said.

Worse, Henares said, a comparison of the increase of the couple’s net worth with their reported taxable income using the net worth method of investigation first used in the US against Al Capone revealed a substantial underdeclaration of income of more than 30 percent in the taxable years of 2004, 2006 and 2007.

Henares explained that under the Tax Code, an underdeclaration of taxable income of more than 30 percent was considered prima facie evidence of fraudulent return.

“As we go along it can grow, as there are allegations that there are assets that were not included,” Henares said.

The complaint against the Arroyos was filed at the DoJ.