Mikey, wife refuse to enter plea on tax evasion case

MANILA, Philippines - Ang Galing Pinoy party-list Rep. Juan Miguel “Mikey” Arroyo and wife Ma. Angela yesterday refused to enter a plea on the tax evasion case filed against them, prompting a judge to enter a not guilty plea for them during arraignment in a Quezon City court.

“Since my clients are highly intelligent individuals, they waive the reading of the information filed and they will not enter a plea,” Ruy Rondain, legal counsel for the couple, told Quezon City Regional Trial Court-Branch 100 Judge Marie Christine Jacob.

He said that Mikey and Angela fully understand the consequences of waiving the reading of the information.

Judge Jacob approved the waiver regarding the reading of the information and entered a not guilty plea for the couple.

She said the waiver, together with the not guilty plea, will be reflected in the minutes and certificate of arraignment.

Rondain also manifested in court to waive the appearance of his clients in forthcoming hearings unless required by the court, which the prosecution did not object to on condition that the accused submit a waiver of appearance.

In an interview, Rondain said the Arroyo couple need not report to the court upon their return from abroad. He confirmed that his clients will go to the United States at the end of the month.

He said the Arroyos have already proven in the past that they always return to the country after every trip abroad.

The case against the couple stemmed from charges lodged by the Department of Justice and Bureau of Internal Revenue (BIR).

Mikey faces three counts of tax evasion charges for his failure to supply correct and accurate information under Section 24 (Income Tax on Individuals), Section 51 A (1a) in relation to Section 255 of the National Internal Revenue Code of 1997, while Angela faces seven counts for her failure to file income tax returns.

The BIR claimed that Mikey failed to file income tax returns (ITR) for 2005, 2008, and 2009 while his wife did not file her ITRs from 2003 to 2009.