Ex-lawyer of Maguindanao massacre suspect faces P36.9-M tax evasion suit

File photo of Redemberto Villanueva, a lawyer of former Gov. Zaldy Ampatuan, when he filed a memorandum before the Court of Appeals in 2010. INQUIRER FILE PHOTO

MANILA, Philippines—The Bureau of Internal Revenue (BIR) on Thursday filed a P36.93-million tax evasion complaint against a former lawyer of Zaldy Ampatuan, one of the suspects in the Maguindanao massacre case.
Lawyer Redemberto Villanueva is the second Ampatuan lawyer slapped with a tax evasion complaint.

Based on the complaint, Villanueva is facing a case for wilful attempt to evade or defeat tax and for deliberate failure to supply correct and accurate information in his Income Tax Returns (ITRs) for taxable years 2010 and 2011.

Investigation by the BIR showed that Villanueva incurred expenditures worth P59.12 million in 2010 and P10.30 million in 2011. His acquisitions in 2010 included a land in Dasmariñas Village, Makati City, worth P58.47 million and a parking space at Eisenhower Condominium in San Juan City worth at P550,000. However, he only paid income tax of P110,788 for 2010.

In 2011, BIR said Villanueva bought an Eastwood Lafayette property worth P2.62 million and a unit at the Eisenhower Condominium in San Juan City worth P2.56 million. He claimed expenses in his ITR worth P5.38 million but paid an income tax worth only P3,743.

The BIR, in its complaint said his income tax liability inclusive of surcharges and interests are P34.41 million in 2010 and P2.52 million in 2011.

Villanueva could not be reached on his mobile phones for comment.

In November 2012, the BIR also filed a tax complaint against Arnel Cortez Manaloto, lawyer for Andal Ampatuan Jr.