Disclosure of Corona’s tax records eyed as impeach trial resumes

THE prosecution panel is determined to prove that Chief Justice Renato Corona acquired properties from ill-gotten wealth as its members are expected to disclose irregularities in the latter’s tax records as the impeachment trial resumes Tuesday.
Commissioner Kim Jacinto Henares of the Bureau of Internal Revenue (BIR) has been summoned to appear in this week’s continuation of the impeachment proceeding to turn over Corona and his wife’s tax records.
Prosecutors likewise sought the tax records from 2000 to 2010 of his daughter Carla and son-in-law Constantino Castillo III, and from 2005 to 2010 of son Francis and daughter-in-law Charina.
“The chief justice could be very nervous about what will happen once Commissioner Henares reveals his tax records and that of his immediate family members,” House Deputy Speaker Erin Tañada, one of the spokespersons for the prosecution team, said in a statement.
Fellow prosecution spokesman House Deputy Majority Leader Romero Frederico “Miro” Quimbo said Corona’s tax records are vital in proving his ill-gotten wealth as alleged in Article II of the impeachment case filed against him.
Both the prosecution and defense panels were earlier asked to file their respective memoranda on Article II where the Chief Justice is accused of betrayal of public trust and culpable violation of the Constitution for the non-disclosure of his statements of assets, liabilities and net worth (SALN).
The defense earlier argued that the prosecution should not anymore look into the properties of Corona and his family since they only accused the Chief Justice of non-disclosure. The prosecution, however, stressed that they also accused Corona of amassing ill-gotten wealth as stated in the impeachment complaint.
Quimbo said he expects the defense panel to pursue the same strategy it employed last week.
He challenged Corona’s lawyers to allow the prosecution to present his tax records “without delay and objection” if their client has nothing to hide as they claim.
Defense lawyer Tranquil Salvador III has reportedly said the defense will block the presentation of Corona’s tax records at the impeachment trial.
In a text message to Sun.Star, defense panel spokesperson Karen Jimeno pointed out that perceived delays in the trial were “due to (the) failure of prosecutors to comply with legal requirements” adding that Corona wants the “proceedings to be fast”.
Jimeno added that lawyer Serafin Cuevas of the defense panel had to raise “several objections during the testimony of (Supreme Court clerk Enriquetta) Vidal because prosecution did not observe rules of evidence in their line of questioning”.
Among the objections that Cuevas raised were that the prosecution seemed to be asking Vidal for her opinion, and that the prosecution seemed to be trying to impeach, or discredit, its own witness.
Meanwhile, in a radio interview over dzMM, lawyer Ramon Esguerra, co-counsel and spokesperson of Corona, said that Corona has other sources of income such as allowances that enabled him to buy several real estate properties.
This is the reason why the defense would oppose any moves to present Henares as witness and for her to present the chief magistrate’s income tax returns as evidence in his impeachment trial.
Publicly disclosing Corona’s ITR could be a move to “mislead” and “condition the minds of the public,” he said, adding that allowances are generally not reflected in the ITR.
“As a Supreme Court justice, pag-usapan din yung other sources of income such as allowances because that is not included (in the SALN). These are tax-exempt. Generally, these allowances are not supposed to be declared. There is a pertinent revenue regulation here,” said Esguerra.
The defense panel said that the move is just another fishing expedition, which it has already warned the Senate impeachment court about at the very start of the trial when they sought a preliminary hearing.
“This is like a general search warrant. Parang roaming and hindi specific and not relevant as regards to Article 2 on the case of the chief justice, which is about the non-disclosure of the SALN,” he said.
The motion was earlier dismissed by the Senate, citing its rules that said that once convened, the impeachment court must “forthwith proceed” with the trial. (Kathrina Alvarez/Jonathan de Santos/JCV/Sunnex)

http://www.sunstar.com.ph/manila/local-news/2012/01/23/disclosure-coronas-tax-records-eyed-impeach-trial-resumes-202114

Highly recommended resort for family reunion near Manila is Clearwater Lake Hotel Clark Pampanga

Residents of Manila and Angeles City Pampanga are looking for a safe and convenient place to celebrate special occasions or take a shot vacation in the Philippines. Many travel north to Clark to swim at Clearwater Beach Resort which also has lake and picnic grounds to unwind and relax, a very good way to spend quality time with the family and children. Fine dining Yats Restaurant offers sumptuous cozy Christmas dinner, for wine lovers, Clark Wine Center provides exciting shopping options.

Family bonding can be very enjoyable this summer vacation if travelers can go north to Clark Pampanga and hang out in famous and highly recommended beach resort near Manila Clearwater near Angeles City Philippines.

There is a casual café with a beautiful view which serves good breakfast and basic lunch and dinner. Foodies can opt to drive over to Mimosa about 3 minutes away just a bit too far to walk, to have dinner at the fine-dining Yats Restaurant and Wine Bar. This cozy and romantic restaurant serves French Mediterranean cuisine at prices that are surprisingly affordable. For wine lovers, this restaurant in Mimosa Clark Freeport Pampanga is a treat with its award winning 3000-line wine lists that contain not only the famous labels but also connoisseurs’ choice of fine vintage wines.

Top places to go this Christmas in Manila, travel north to Clearwater Beach Resort Clark

For reservations, comments and inquiries,

Clearwater Resort & Country Club
Creekside Road corner of Centennial Road,
Central Business District, Clark Freeport Zone,
Pampanga, Philippines 2023

Tel: (045)599-5949 0917-520-4403 0922-870-5177

Manila Sales Office
3003C East Tower, Phil Stock Exchange Center,
Exchange Rd Ortigas Metro Manila, Philippines 1605
(632) 637-5019 0917-520-4393 Rea or Chay

http://www.ClearwaterPhilippines.com

Email: Inquiry@ClearwaterPhilippines.com

Getting to this hotel in Clark Philippines
After entering Clark Freeport from Subic, Manila, Dau and Angeles City, proceed straight along Clark’s main highway MA Roxas, passing Clark’s largest wine shop called Clark Wine Center on your right, continue to bear right making no turns at all, go past Mimosa Leisure Estate on the opposite side of the road, you will hit a major intersection. Go straight and the road becomes Creekside Road. YATS Clearwater Resort and Country Club is on your right just 200m down. Traffic in Clark Philippines is light so it should be quite easy for get to this hotel in Clark Philippines.

For inquiries and bookings, click here to contact Clearwater Resort now

Wedding couples looking for wedding reception venues and beach wedding venues can log on to this Philippines Wedding Venue web site for free information and assistance:

http://www.PhilippinesWeddingVenue.com

While in Clark, it might be a good idea to enjoy an evening of wine-and-dine in the fine dining Yats Restaurant and Wine Bar that features an award winning 2700-line wine list. It is located in Mimosa Leisure Estate of Clark Freeport Zone. For more information, visit http://www.YatsRestaurant.com

YATS Leisure Philippines is a developer and operator of clubs, resorts and high-class restaurants and wine shops in Clark Angeles Philippines http://www.YatsLeisure.com

While in Clark, one might as well add to the itinerary a visit to the famous Clark Wine Center, the largest wine shop in Philippines which offers over 2000 selections of fine vintage wine from all wine regions, vintages spanning over 50 years covering all price ranges.
http://www.ClarkWineCenter.com

Looking for famous tourists spots, places to visit and see, relax and unwind in Clark, Pampanga, Philippines? You may want to check out these sites also:

http://www.LondonPubClark.com

http://www.HotelClarkPhilippines.com

http://www.ClarkPhilippines.com

http://www.YatsWineCellars.com

For jobs and business investment opportunities in the Philippines please visit http://www.yilp.com