Coronas called to tax probe

Former Chief Justice Renato Corona. SENATE POOL

Former Chief Justice Renato Corona, his daughter Carina Castillo and son-in-law Constantino Castillo III have been asked to personally appear at a preliminary investigation of the tax evasion cases against them set for September 25 and October 5.

The Coronas must make a personal appearance at the preliminary investigation of the P150-million tax evasion complaint filed against them last month by the Bureau of Internal Revenue (BIR), Justice Secretary Leila de Lima said Wednesday.

“They can always send their lawyer but there should be a valid reason for that. But personal appearance is preferred,” De Lima said.

She said the subpoenas were issued by the prosecutor general to the Coronas Wednesday.

The BIR claimed that the ousted Chief Justice owed the government P120.5 million because he allegedly underreported and underdeclared cash and assets covering the periods 2002 to 2005, 2007 to 2008 and 2010.

Corona’s daughter is being sued in connection with a tax liability amounting to P9.93 million, and her husband, for a tax liability of P20.24 million.

The BIR based its complaint against the Coronas on the evidence that the former Chief Justice submitted to the Senate impeachment court during his trial earlier this year.

Corona was removed from office in May after the Senate impeachment court convicted him for failing to declare his correct income in his statement of assets, liabilities and net worth (SALN).

Based on its assessment, the BIR said that Corona had a total net worth of P161.15 million from his declared income of P24.65 million.

Asked what would happen if the Coronas failed to appear at the DOJ hearing, De Lima said the prosecutor handling the complaint “would know what to do.”

Originally posted at 05:29 pm | Wednesday, September 12, 2012