Ligots seek more time to answer tax evasion raps

Former military comptroller Lt. Gen. Jacinto Ligot and his wife Erlinda on Wednesday asked the Department of Justice (DOJ) for more time to answer the Bureau of Internal Revenue's (BIR) P428-million tax evasion complaint against them. After the preliminary investigation hearing on the complaint, the couple's legal counsel, Rafael Zialcita, said that Assistant State Prosecutor Stewart Mariano gave them 10 more days to prepare their counter-affidavit on the BIR's tax evasion suit. "We asked for an extension, and we were given 10 more days to file our counter-affidavit. There was no objection on the part of the BIR. We didn't have sufficient time to come up with a counter-affidavit and to interview all the necessary people for that, which is why we asked for an extension," Zialcita told reporters. The lawyer added that Ligot received a copy of the complaint only last March 28, when he was still under Senate custody. The Senate blue ribbon committee is investigating the Ligot couple's wealth, which was allegedly sourced from military funds.

Before the hearing, the DOJ's resident nurse checked the couple's health condition. Zialcita said Mrs. Ligot's blood pressure was 140/100, which was deemed normal. In various hearings of the Senate blue ribbon committee, Erlinda had used her supposed poor health to excuse herself from the proceedings. In an interview with reporters on Wednesday, Justice Secretary Leila de Lima said Mrs. Ligot should not repeatedly cite high blood pressure to evade the department's hearings. "It doesnt mean you can use that [high blood pressure] as an excuse for not complying with mga procedures or requirements or directives in the preliminary investigation. There should be no special treatment for anyone," De Lima said. Tax evasion raps A preliminary investigation conducted by the Justice department seeks to determine whether there is probable cause to indict a respondent for the offense allegedly committed. Once probable cause is established, the DOJ will then file the appropriate charges before the proper court. In its complaint, the BIR accused the Ligots of evading their duties to pay taxes from 2001 to 2004. The bureau is requiring them to pay P428 million in aggregate tax liabilities. Specifically, the BIR said the Ligots are facing "eight counts of willful attempt to evade or defeat tax and five counts for willful failure to file their income tax returns covering the taxable years 2001 to 2004." The bureau noted Jacinto Ligot's millions-worth of bank deposits and his purchase of properties in Rizal province, a condominium unit in Makati City, and a sports utility vehicle. While her husband was still the military comptroller, Erlinda allegedly made "several bank deposits," including a $200,000 bank transaction. "She also purchased serveral proprties that included a Paseo Parkview Tower II condominium unit at Salcedo Village in Makati City, a $322,181 real property at No. 1240 Cabernet Circle, Anaheim, California, USA, and a $599,500 house and lot at 7102 Stanton Avenue, Buenas Park, California," said the BIR. On Wednesday, the couple's counsel said he is yet to read the entire report because his law office only received a copy of the BIR complaint last Thursday. He added that he is unaware whether the Ligots had indeed failed to file their income tax returns from 2001 to 2004. "I haven't seen the records yet. As far as I know, there must be a good reason for it if and when they did not file," said Zialcita. Military corruption In various hearings conducted by the Senate blue ribbon committee, Ligot claimed having no knowledge of his wife's travels and acquisition of properties abroad. Erlinda, on the other hand, had repeatedly invoked her right against self-incrimination when asked about their alleged ill-gotten wealth. The Ligot couple is already facing a forfeiture case before the anti-graft court Sandiganbayan for their alleged amassing of P135 million in unexplained wealth. The case was filed in 2005. Ligot is the predecessor of Maj. Gen. Carlos F. Garcia, who is facing a P303-million plunder case at the Sandiganbayan. Garcia is out on bail after he pleaded guilty to two lesser offenses. The plea bargain deal was forged between Garcia and the Ombudsman even if it is yet to be approved by the court. Garcia and his wife, Clarita, are also facing a string of tax evasion charges at he DOJ. – VVP, GMA News