MANILA -- Ang Galing Pinoy Representative Juan Miguel "Mikey" Arroyo, who is facing P73.85-million tax evasion charges, hit back at President Benigno Aquino III after the latter dared him to present proof that he filed his income tax returns contrary to the investigation of the Bureau of Internal Revenue (BIR).
In an interview with reporters on Friday, President Aquino said: "The accusation is you didn't even file. Paying insufficient taxes is one thing but here, it is shown that he didn't file income tax returns. Let me just stress, before anything more is said, 'If you paid your taxes, show your income tax return.' Tapos ang isyu."
Mikey, son of Aquino's predecessor, said: "Using the President's words that the issue is simple, my answer is also just as simple".
"Kung pinagbigyan lang po ako ng sampung araw gaya ng orihinal na palugit na ibinigay sa akin ng BIR upang ibigay lahat ng dokumentong kailangan nila," he explained.
Arroyo earlier said he received a notice of audit on April 5 stating that he has 10 days to explain why he failed to submit income tax returns in 2005, 2008, and 2009, while his wife failed to file her ITR from 2003 to 2009. (Kathrina Alvarez/Sunnex)