DoJ summons Ligot couple over tax-evasion complaints

MANILA, Philippines—The Department of Justice (DoJ) is requiring former Armed Forces of the Philippines comptroller Jacinto Ligot and wife, Erlinda, to answer the complaint of tax evasion against them.

A one-page subpoena signed by Assistant State Prosecutor Stewart Allan Mariano has ordered the couple to appear before the DoJ for a preliminary investigation on April 6 and April 13.

Mariano also ordered the two to submit their respective counter-affidavit.

Last March 10, the Bureau of Internal Revenue (BIR) filed tax evasion complaints before the DoJ against the Ligots for their alleged willful attempt to evade payment of taxes and failure to file income tax returns.

According to the complaints, Lieutenant General Ligot failed to file his income tax return (ITRs) for taxable year 2001 while Erlinda failed to file hers from 2001 to 2004.

The two also allegedly failed to declare with the BIR their income net worth of P41.854 million in 2001; P103.6-million in 2002; P165.367 million in 2003; and P148.955 million in 2004.

Some of the assets allegedly owned by the Ligots, which were exposed during the Senate inquiry, included properties in Makati City and several others in California, USA.