BIR chief may take witness stand Wednesday, says prosecution

MANILA, Philippines—Bureau of Internal Revenue (BIR) Commissioner Kim Jacinto-Henares may not get to take the witness stand until Wednesday at the ongoing impeachment trial of Chief Justice Renato Corona.

Speaking to reporters before the resumption of the trial at the Senate, Marikina Representative Romero Quimbo, prosecution panel spokesperson, said that Henares might not be called to the witness stand as the panel still has three to four witnesses lined up for the day.

The defense panel would present witnesses who could “complete the picture of [Corona’s] properties” before the team delves into the Chief Justice’s capability to purchase such assets, said Quimbo.

Asked whether Henares has brought with her the original and certified true copies of the annual income tax returns (ITRs) of Corona, his wife Cristina, daughters Carla and Charina, son Francis, and son-in-law Constantino Castillo, Quimbo said that they “have not seen the ITRs”, but added that Henares is under a continuing subpoena which orders her to bring the said documents.