All-female panel formed to probe Arroyo’s tax case

April 26, 2011

HE Department of Justice has created an all-female prosecution panel to conduct preliminary investigation on the P73.85-million tax evasion case filed against Ang Galing Pinoy party-list Representative Juan Miguel “Mikey” Arroyo and his wife Maria Angela.
Under Department Order 292 dated April 19, Senior Assistant State Prosecutor Lagrimas Agaran was designated as chair of the panel, with Assistant State Prosecutors Mederlyn Presa-Mangalindan and Ma. Cristina Barot as members.
In the order issued by Justice Secretary Leila de Lima, the panel was directed to file the corresponding pieces of information in court and handle its active prosecution if evidence warrants or probable cause was found against the respondent spouses.
Arroyo, son of Pampanga Representative Gloria Macapagal-Arroyo, and his wife were charged with violation of Section 254 (attempt to evade payment of tax) and 255 (failure to file or submission of incomplete or false returns) of the National Internal Revenue Code of 1997 for their alleged willful failure to declare their true incomes for the years 2003 to 2009 totaling P73.85 million, despite their acquisition of numerous properties here and abroad.
Investigations showed that the Arroyos bought real, personal, and other properties worth several millions from 2004 to 2009, including residential houses in the United States, Lubao, Pampanga and La Vista Subdivision in Quezon City; motor vehicles, stock shares, jewelries, clothes and other personal effects, as enumerated in Arroyo’s statement of assets, liabilities and networth (SALN) as of December 31 of the years 2002 to 2009.
“Despite receipt of substantial amounts of income, as shown by their acquisition of numerous properties, the Arroyo spouses repeatedly failed to file any annual income tax returns and to pay the corresponding taxes due thereon,” said Bureau of Internal Revenue (BIR) Commissioner Kim Henares.
The BIR said being a government official, Mikey’s only source of income is his salary.
However, for the taxable year 2004, the couple reported a net income of P2.4 million; P1.7 million in 2006; P376,000 for 2007; and declared no income and did not file his ITR for the years, 2005, 2008 and 2009.
For her part, Angela has a taxpayer’s identification number (TIN) for a one-time transaction, but being unemployed, did not file her tax return. This means that she was either selling a land or property, or shares of stocks.
For Angela to own shares in any company, she should earn money to buy those shares, even though she only registered as a tax payer in 2004, Henares said.
The Arroyos’ failure to file their ITR is evident of their fraudulent scheme to defeat payment of taxes.
Worse, the substantial underdeclaration of income of more than 30 percent in the years 2004, 2006 and 2007, is considered a prima facie evidence of fraudulent return, the BIR added.
If found guilty of violation of Section 254 of the NIRC, Henares said the Arroyos may be penalized for each count with P30,000 to P100,000 and jail term of two to four years; for violation of Section of 255, a fine of not less than P10,000 may be imposed and imprisonment of one to ten years.
Earlier, de Lima said she is giving the prosecution panel the leeway to evaluate whether there may be other charges that can be filed against Mikey, being a public official.
She said the mechanism for the mutual legal assistance treaty (MLAT) with the United State government may also be used in the tax case against the Arroyos, considering they have properties in the US, but this will have to be evaluated further before a request may be made.
The MLAT was recently applied by the DOJ in going after the US-based assets of former AFP comptroller Jacinto Ligot and his wife Erlinda, who were both facing a forfeiture case before the Sandiganbayan as well as a tax case at the justice department.
Rabusa was likewise named one of the respondents in the wholesale plunder case filed by former AFP budget officer George Rabusa, who blew the whistle on the corruption in the military, against top military personnel. (ECV/Sunnex)
Source: http://www.sunstar.com.ph/manila/local-news/2011/04/25/all-female-panel-formed-probe-arroyos-tax-case-152021

Although the Philippines is not known for being the wine capital of Asia, Clark Pampanga is the most frequently visited destination for wine lovers in Cebu, Angeles City and Manila to shop for some good vintage wine. The famous wine shop outside Manila called Clark Wine Center is the largest wine shop in Philippines which offers over 2000 selections of fine vintage wine from all wine regions, vintages spanning over 50 years covering all price ranges.

This wine shop in Clark is highly recommended as one of the best places to buy wine in Pampanga. Clark Freeport is just outside Manila near Subic and Angeles City Philippines is Clark Wine Center. Visitors buy wine in Manila and Pampanga should not miss stopping at this wine shop for a few bottles of fine vintage wines to bring home.

Established in 2002, YATS WINE CELLARS is a wholly-owned business unit of Hong Kong-based Yats International which owns and operates resort, wine shops, wine bars and fine-dining restaurant properties in Clark Freeport in The Philippines. YATS WINE CELLARS caters to a clientele of discerning wine lovers from all over the world. Besides a good selection of wine for everyday enjoyment, YATS offers a unique selection of aged vintage wines made available to wine enthusiasts at remarkably affordable prices. Vintages span over a century and the selection of old- and new-world wines covers all major wine regions.

http://www.ClarkWineCenter.com

Getting to this wine shop in Pampanga Angeles City Clark Freeport Zone Philippines from Manila
Getting to the Clark Wine Center wine shop from Manila is quite simple: after entering Clark Freeport from Dau and Angeles City, proceed straight along the main highway M A Roxas. Clark Wine Center is the stand-along white building on the right, at the corner A Bonifacio Ave. From the Clark International Airport DMIA, ask the taxi to drive towards the entrance of Clark going to Angeles City. From Mimosa, just proceed towards the exit of Clark and this wine shop is on the opposite side of the main road M A Roxas.

Clark Wine Center
Bldg 6460 Clark Observatory Building
Manuel A. Roxas Highway corner A Bonifacio Ave,
Angeles Clark Freeport Zone, Pampanga 2023
0922-870-5173 0917-826-8790 (ask for Ana Fe)

Wine@Yats-International.com

YATS Wine Cellars
Manila Sales Office
3003C East Tower, Phil Stock Exchange Center,
Exchange Rd Ortigas Metro Manila, Philippines 1605
(632) 637-5019 0917-520-4393 ask for Rea or Chay

Best place to buy wine in Clark Pampanga outside Manila near Subic and Angeles City Philippines is Clark Wine Center.
Wedding couples looking for wedding reception venues and beach wedding venues can log on to this Philippines Wedding Venue web site for free information and assistance:

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While in Clark, it might be a good idea to enjoy an evening of wine-and-dine in the fine dining Yats Restaurant and Wine Bar that features an award winning 2700-line wine list. It is located in Mimosa Leisure Estate of Clark Freeport Zone. For more information, visit http://www.YatsRestaurant.com

YATS Leisure Philippines is a developer and operator of clubs, resorts and high-class restaurants and wine shops in Clark Angeles Philippines http://www.YatsLeisure.com

Looking for famous tourists spots, places to visit and see, relax and unwind in Clark, Pampanga, Philippines? You may want to check out these sites also:

http://www.LondonPubClark.com

http://www.HotelClarkPhilippines.com

http://www.ClarkPhilippines.com

http://www.YatsWineCellars.com