DOJ summons Ligot, wife over tax evasion case

MANILA, Philippines - The Department of Justice (DOJ) has summoned former military comptroller Lt. Gen. Jacinto Ligot and his wife Erlinda to appear in the preliminary investigation on the P428-million tax evasion charges lodged against them by the Bureau of Internal Revenue (BIR).                                                 

In separate subpoenas issued by Assistant State Prosecutor Stewart Mariano yesterday, the Ligots were directed to submit their answer to the charges and appear in hearings set on April 6 and 13 at the Multi-Purpose Hall of the DOJ.

In its complaint, the BIR accused the Ligots of eight counts of various tax charges following their recent disclosures before the Senate inquiry on corruption in the Armed Forces as well as records from the anti-graft court.                                      

According to BIR Commissioner Kim Henares, the Ligots are liable for non-payment of tax and five counts of non-filing of income tax returns (ITRs) for taxable years 2001 to 2004.                                                                                              

The couple is currently facing a forfeiture case filed against them in 2005 before the Sandiganbayan Fourth Division for amassing P135.28-million in unexplained wealth.