Dept. of Justice (DOJ) has filed a Php 120 Million tax evasion charge against former Chief Justice Corona before the Court of Tax Appeals (CTA) after it junked the motion for reconsideration he filed. Prosecutor Gen. Arellano confirmed that the panel headed by Senior Asst. State Prosecutor Valenzuela affirmed that April 26, 2013 resolution of the DOJ which found probable cause to charge Corona with violations of Sec. 254 and 255 of the National Internal Revenue Code (NIRC) on tax evasion and willful failure to file income tax returns. Violations of Sec. 254 is punishable by Php 30,000 to Php 100,000 in fines and imprisonment of 2 to 4 yrs. in addition to his liability for the tax due. Violations of Sec. 255 on the other hand is punishable by a fine of not less than Php 10,000 and imprisonment of 1 to 10 yrs. Corona is facing 6 counts of violations of Sec. 254 and 6 counts of Sec. 255 of the National Internal Revenue Code (NIRC). Corona reportedly paid Php 120,000 ball before the CTA last March 4 Tuesday. The CTA 3rd Div. set the arraignment of the former Chief Justice on March 26, 2014 while the CTA 2nd Div. has set the arraignment of the former Chief Justice on April 2, 2014. Valenzuela stated that the arguments presented by the former Chief Justice are rehashed and warrants his indictment.
