DOJ approves filing of tax evasion case vs Corona

MANILA, Philippines – The Department of Justice (DOJ) on Thursday approved the filing of tax evasion case against former Chief Justice Renato Corona.

Former Chief Justice Renato Corona. SENATE POOL

In a 66-page resolution, the DOJ said there is probable cause to charge Corona before the Court of Tax Appeals. His tax liability is P120.5 million.

The case is in connection with his failure to file Income Tax Returns for the year 2000, 2004, 2005, 2007, 2008 and 2010.

The resolution stated that it’s best for Corona to just explain the co-mingling of funds before the Tax Court.

On Aug. 30, the Bureau of Internal Revenue (BIR) filed a P150.68 million tax evasion case against Corona at the DOJ.

Based on the BIR complaint, Corona did not declare all his assets in his Statement of Assets Liabilities and Networth.

Aside from the bank deposits, he also did not declare two real properties he acquired during his stint in government: a condominium unit at the Columns on Ayala Avenue that he bought for P3.6 million in 2004 and a property in Fort Bonifacio that he bought for P9.16 million in 2005.

After examining Corona’s bank records and compared it with his networth, Henares said they discovered a substantial disparity between the acquisition cost of the properties declared in his SALNs and the cost declared in the certificates authorizing registrations.

Corona was removed from office through impeachment in 2012.