Tax raps sure to be filed vs MJ — DOJ chief

Justice Secretary Raul Gonzalez said yesterday tax evasion charges will definitely be filed against former Manila Rep. Mark Jimenez once the Bureau of Internal Revenue (BIR) finds sufficient evidence of irregular transactions involving the former congressman.

In an interview over the weekly radio program "Para sa Iyo Bayan" of Vice President Noli de Castro, Gonzalez said Jimenez (Mario Crespo in real life) has been openly making huge donations to certain groups, using funds of questionable sources.

Asked what prompted him to ask the BIR to investigate Jimenez, Gonzalez said, "When so much money is thrown around like manna from heaven."

Gonzalez admitted sending two letters to the BIR seeking an investigation of possible violation of tax laws in the sale of the family-owned Meridian Telecoms to the Philippine Long Distance Telephone Co. (PLDT) in 2004 for $45 million or more than P2 billion. Meridian is the first local company to provide high-speed broadband Internet service.

"I wrote two letters to the BIR asking whether in this particular transaction proper taxes were paid and considering the magnitude of the transaction. We want to find out if it was regular," he said.

He also asked the Anti-Money Laundering Council to investigate the source of funds of Jimenez.

Gonzalez also directed the National Bureau of Investigation (NBI) to also investigate the civilian bodyguards of Jimenez who were reportedly heavily armed.

"He is surrounded by a good number of civilian, armed bodyguards. I told the NBI na tingnan itong mga armadong nakapaligid sa kanya (to check on the armed men surrounding him)," he said.

Gonzalez also assailed the police for providing security escorts to Jimenez.