Justice chief orders re-filing of P417.8-M tax evasion case vs De la Fuente

MANILA, Philippines - Justice Secretary Leila de Lima has ordered the re-filing of a P417.8-million tax evasion case against veteran singer and bus operator Claire de la Fuente.

Reversing an earlier resolution of her predecessor Alberto Agra, De Lima found probable cause to indict De la Fuente, whose real name is Clarita de Guzman, for her bus company’s alleged failure to pay P417.8 million in taxes for the years 1997 to 2004 based on a complaint of the Bureau of Internal Revenue filed in September 2005.

In a four-page resolution signed last Nov. 2 but released yesterday, De Lima said there was basis for the BIR’s accusation that the singer’s Philippine Corinthian Liner Corp. (PCLC) failed to file tax returns and pay necessary taxes amounting to more than P417 million.

In his resolution, Agra gave credence to De la Fuente’s claim that she was no longer the treasurer or officer-in-charge of PCLC during the years in question.

But De Lima argued that documentary evidence belied the singer’s claim.

“She cannot feign ignorance of PCLC’s omission under the NIRC (National Internal Revenue Code). Indeed, respondent is the president and treasurer of PCLC and appears responsible for the violation,” the resolution stressed.

“This development is but another affirmative step that we in the DOJ have taken to clearly convey to the public our earnest determination to intensify prosecution of tax evasion cases, especially where probable cause clearly exists. It is our contribution to the government’s effort to improve revenue collection,” De Lima said.