Mikey Arroyo, wife post bail in tax case

Partylist Congressman Juan Miguel “Mikey” Arroyo and his wife Angela

Party-list congressman Juan Miguel “Mikey” Arroyo and his wife on Tuesday went to a Quezon City court to post bail for their temporary liberty in connection with a P74-million tax evasion case against them.

The couple, accompanied by lawyer Ruy Rondain, voluntarily surrendered to Judge Marie Christine Jacob.

The Ang Galing Pinoy party-list representative, who is charged with three counts of violating Section 255 of National Internal Revenue Code for allegedly failing to file income tax returns for 2007, 2008 and 2009, posted bail of P60,000.

His wife, Angela, who was charged for allegedly failing to file her ITR for the taxable years 2003 to 2009, posted a P140,000 bail bond.

The charges were filed and raffled off to Jacob’s regional trial court branch last week.

The complaint was based on a resolution by a Department of Justice (DOJ) prosecution panel which found probable cause to indict the couple.

The panel noted that the couple never disputed that they had other sources of income which resulted in an increase in their net worth, like bank deposit interest income which are subject to final tax, and income that are exempt from income tax like the 13th month pay.

“However, aside from their bare and self-serving allegations, respondents miserably failed to present proof or evidence that such other sources of income were already subjected to final tax or those gifts from relatives are exempt,” the panel said.

Originally posted: 2:17 pm | Tuesday, October 11th, 2011