PNoy wants speedy resolution of tax evasion cases in courts

Bothered with the slow pace of tax evasion cases in courts, President Benigno Aquino III on Wednesday ordered his Cabinet to look for ways to speed up the adjudication process. Aquino gave the order in a meeting with Bureau of Internal Revenue Commissioner Kim Henares, Finance Secretary Cesar Purisima, and Justice Secretary Leila de Lima where they reviewed the cases under the RATE (Run After Tax Evaders) program. Ricky Carandang, head of the Presidential Communication Development and Strategic Planning Office, said the President is happy with the pace in which the cases are being filed. Under the Aquino administration, the government has filed 42 tax evasion cases, including one against party-list Rep. Juan Miguel “Mikey" Arroyo, son of former President and incumbent Pampanga Rep. Gloria Macapagal-Arroyo, and his wife, Angela. “We’re confident that the cases are solid. But there’s a tendency that once the cases go to court, the process tends to take a while, it slows down a bit. Part of that is really beyond our hands because it’s a process that needs to be followed in the courts," said Carandang, who was at the meeting. “In that context, the President asked the three of them, Purisima, De Lima and Kim Henares, if there are other ways that can be explored whereby the cases could be made to move faster," he said. He said Aquino wants the three to explore ways to hasten the process but with respect to the judicial process. During the meeting, they learned that there were tax cases that have been pending for five to six years. Asked if Aquino gave any suggestions, Carandang said he left it up to the three. “It’s something for the lawyers to figure out because it takes a lot of knowledge about the legal processes. The ideas would primarily come from Henares and De Lima." Aquino did not give a deadline, Carandang said. “I think they are going to discuss this relatively quickly. There was no specific deadline given." — KBK, GMA News