Mikey, wife post bail for tax evasion cases

Ang Galing Pinoy Rep. Juan Miguel “Mikey" Arroyo and his wife, Angela, on Tuesday posted bail for the tax evasion cases they are facing before the Court of Appeals. On behalf of the Arroyos, lawyer Ruy Rondain posted bail amounting to more than P200,000 before the Quezon City Regional Trial Court at around 10 a.m. Tuesday. Rondain said his clients decided to post bail to send a message they are willing to submit themselves before the court. "This is part of the legal process. We want to respect that process kaya sumusunod kami," he said in a phone interview. He added that the move was also meant to show that the Arroyo couple will not flee from the tax charges. "We want to send a message that we are willing to face the complaints… Para wala na ring speculations na tatakasan namin ito," he said. Rep. Arroyo, eldest son of former President and Pampanga Rep. Gloria Macapagal-Arroyo, is currently facing three counts of failure to file income tax returns (ITRs) for 2007, 2008, and 2009 and another three counts of failure to supply correct and accurate information on his ITRs for 2004, 2005, and 2006. His wife, meanwhile, is facing seven counts of violation of failure to file ITRs for the years 2003 to 2009. Earlier this month, the Department of Justice ordered the placing of the Arroyo couple in the Bureau of Immigration watch list in relation to the tax cases filed against them. — RSJ, GMA News