Lawmakers: Arroyos not singled out

April 9, 2011

MEMBERS of the ruling party in the House of Representatives think it is unfair for their colleague to claim that he is being harassed by the administration.
On Thursday, the Bureau of Internal Revenue (BIR) filed P73.85-million tax evasion charges against Ang Galing Pinoy party-list Representative Juan Miguel “Mikey” Arroyo and his wife.
Arroyo, son of former President Gloria Macapagal-Arroyo, said he is a victim of the administration’s harassment and political gimmickry to cover up its failure in providing remedies to the continuing increases of prices of oil, electricity and basic commodities.
But House Deputy Speaker Erin Tañada said in a text message that the case filed against Arroyo was based on his “not filing” of income tax returns.
“Kung totoo naman nag-file siya, madali naman patunayan yan dahil may income tax return. Kailangan lang naman ipakita ni Mikey na tama ang bayad niya (If he indeed filed, he can easily prove it since there is an income tax return. He just needs to show that he paid the right taxes),” he said.
A day before the tax evasion case was filed against Arroyo, the Finance department filed administrative and criminal charges against Local Water Utilities Administration (LWUA) chair Prospero Pichay and four other board members for alleged anomalous acquisition of a thrift bank in Laguna in 2008.
With this, Cavite Representative Elpidio Barzaga said the party-list lawmaker is not being singled out by the Aquino government.
“Hindi naman sya singled-out. Katunayan based sa newspaper reports, may iba pang kinasuhan. May chance naman siya to defend himself (Others were also charged. He still has the chance to defend himself),” said Barzaga, who is a member of the House majority coalition but is also part of Arroyo’s Lakas-Kampi party.
President Benigno Aquino III, meanwhile, reiterated that Malacañang is not singling out the families and allies of the former President.
He said the BIR is just doing its job to go after tax evaders to cope with the agency’s tax deficiency collections.
“We are not singling them out. The BIR has filed over 30 cases (to different individuals)…It just happens that they (Arroyo) were charged,” Aquino said.
“I am sorry. But I will not argue with him. But as how the BIR and Department of Finance explained it, his Statement of Assets and Liabilities (networth) increased but he has no income tax returns,” he added, as he dared Arroyo to present proof that he indeed filed his income tax returns.
The President told Arroyo that “the accusation is you haven’t filed at all…It’s different from not paying enough taxes.” He assured that due process will be given to the lawmaker and his wife.
Arroyo, however, hit back at the President, saying: “Using the President’s words that the issue is simple, my answer is also just as simple.”
“Kung pinagbigyan lang po ako ng sampung araw gaya ng orihinal na palugit na ibinigay sa akin ng BIR upang ibigay lahat ng dokumentong kailangan nila,” he explained.
Arroyo earlier said he received a notice of audit on April 5 stating that he has 10 days to explain why he failed to submit income tax returns in 2005, 2008, and 2009, while his wife failed to file her income tax returns from 2003 to 2009.
“Isn’t due process integral in a fair and just justice system provided for in a healthy democracy?” Arroyo added.
The BIR and the Bureau of Customs have been alternately filing tax evasion charges against suppose delinquent tax payers and smugglers. (Jill Beltran/Kathrina Alvarez/Sunnex)
Source:http://www.sunstar.com.ph/manila/local-news/2011/04/08/lawmakers-arroyos-not-singled-out-149457

Leading Philippines Wine Supplier Yats Wine Cellars based in Clark Philippines with outlets in Angeles City, Subic Freeport and Manila Philippines has been not only a wine shop for fine wines covering all major wine regions but also a source of reliable and useful information about wine, wine appreciation, wine accessories, wine and health, food and wine pairing and all other matters relating to wine and its appreciation. This Philippines Clark Freeport based Wine Supplier and Wine Shop frequently holds public wine tasting events in Pampana Clark Freeport Zone, Angeles City, Subic Bay area, Makati, Fort Bonifacio and other areas in Philippines capital city Manila. Private Wine events such as private wine tasting and private wine dinners are also designed and organized for private clientele for their wine loving guests.

This wine shop in Angeles Clark Philippines is also renowned for a very unique product called Vintage Beer which many characterize as “Champagne beer” because it comes in a bottle with a Champagne stopper and metal restrainer. Vintage beers are top-of-the-line luxury beers bottle-conditioned for a slow fermentation to take place inside the bottle, a process that is very similar to Champagne which is designed to not only create the bubbles but also for an amazing complexity and depth of flavors.

For fans of Port and Sauternes, this wine shop in Clark Pampanga has a large selection of vintage port, Sauternes and Barsac as well as Eiswein/Icewine from Austria and Germany. Likewise, there is a good selection of Vintage Champagne at the wine shoppers’ disposal in the cellars of this wine shop in Clark Pampanga.

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. 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.

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:

http://www.PhilippinesWeddingVenue.com

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