KAPA founder’s wife faces P169-million tax raps

MANILA, Philippines — A P169.2-million tax evasion complaint was filed yesterday against the wife of Kapa Community Ministry International Inc. founder Joel Apolinario. 

In filing the complaint before the Department of Justice, Bureau of Internal Revenue (BIR) Deputy Commissioner Marissa Cabreros cited Reyna Apolinario’s “willful attempt to evade or defeat tax and failure to file return, supply correct and accurate information, pay tax, withhold and remit tax and refund excess taxes withheld on compensation from 2016 to 2018.”

The BIR said Reyna, corporate secretary of KAPA, did not also file her income tax from 2012 to 2015.

Cabreros said Reyna declared an income of only P206,758; P171,000, and P12.06 million, from 2016 to2018, respectively.

“Considering the previous income declarations and payments of Reyna, this points to undeclared sources of income amounting to P307.70 million for... 2017, which includes P140 million in cash, P27.6 million in luxury vehicles, P65.7 million worth of heavy equipment and P45.10 million in real properties and other assets and investments,” the BIR said. 

Cabreros said records at the Land Transportation Office show that nine vehicles registered under Reyna in 2017 and 2018 were not declared in the financial statements she submitted to the BIR.

“As we... said before, whether it is a big or small (tax evasion case) as soon as we have substantial information... we would not hesitate filing criminal cases,” Cabreros said. 

The National Bureau of Investigation (NBI) had earlier filed syndicated estafa, a non-bailable offense, against Reyna, her husband and 13 other KAPA officials – Nonita Urbano, Junnie Apolinario, Nelia Niño, Maria Pella Sevilla, Jouelyn del Castillo, Cristobal Barabad, Joji Jusay, Reyna Apolinario, Modie Dagala, Benigno Tipan Jr., Marnilyn Maturan, Ricky Taer and Margie Danao – over an alleged investment scam.

The NBI and Securities and Exchange Commission also filed charges for violation of Republic Act 8799 or the Securities and Regulation Code against the respondents. – With Mary Grace Padin