Neri faces tax evasion case

MANILA, Philippines – The Department of Justice (DOJ) said today it will file a tax evasion case against former Social Security System president Romulo Neri for "under-declaration of his income for 2008 and 2009."

This after the DOJ found probable cause against Neri for his alleged failure to pay more than P18 million in taxes, based on the Bureau of Internal Revenue (BIR) report that he under-declared his income from various corporations for 2008 and 2009.

The BIR filed the tax evasion complaint before the DOJ against Neri in November last year.

The DOJ said that the case may be filed before the Court of Tax Appeals today or tomorrow.

In an interview, Neri’s lawyer Paul Lentejas said the allegation against his client are baseless as the BIR failed to conduct proper assessment on the revenue and properties of the former socio-economic official.

“Walang assessment na pinadala sa aking client. The case is baseless,” he said.

Neri first came into the limelight during the probe on the foiled NBN ZTE deal where he testified against former poll chief Benjamin Abalos. Neri alleged that Abalos offered him P200 million to approve the deal, thus the famous one-liner “Sec may 200 ka dito.”

He was then subjected to various inquiries as allegedly being one of the former government’s high ranking officials that gained excessive perks and bonuses.