BIR to go after jueteng lords for tax evasion

jueteng operators and their alleged protectors in government.

BIR Commissioner Kim Henares said their investigation would take off from the lists of past and present officials allegedly on the take from jueteng operators. Retired Archbishop Oscar Cruz presented his list to the Senate last Tuesday. Sen. Miriam Santiago presented her own list the following day.

“Whoever is mentioned in the long list will be subject to scrutiny,” Henares said.

She said that the BIR would check whether the income tax returns filed by those on the list are reflective of their lifestyles.

“It is but normal and natural for the BIR to investigate when information is given to us,” Henares said.

The checks will cover residential properties of the suspected jueteng operators and protectors, their vehicles, travels and even the schools of their children.

Cruz’s list included the names of Interior and Local Government Undersecretary Rico Puno and former Philippine National Police chief Jesus Verzosa.

In New York, President Aquino ordered authorities to gather evidence against those on the lists to make sure they land in jail if found guilty.

“We must have sufficient evidence to win the case in court, have the accused prosecuted and jailed, whoever they are,” Mr. Aquino told reporters here.

“We received lists and they are being evaluated now by the concerned authorities. Let me just repeat, if we are not able to prove anything, then we will not be able to file anything in court. If we’re not able to file anything in court, then we don’t gain anything, nothing will happen,” he said.

Mr. Aquino, however, said his political foes might be using the issue to create discord in his young administration.

He also said he would not seek evidence from Cruz even as he scored the prelate’s refusal to talk to him.

“He gave us a lead, thank you. Now it is up to the agencies to evaluate. So let us first allow them to find proof of whether there is basis (for filing of cases) or not,” Mr. Aquino said.

“Well, we already have a plan,” he said referring to steps being undertaken by DILG Secretary Jesse Robredo to eliminate the illegal numbers game.

“We have at least a conceptualization of what we should do and (Robredo) already gave this to us,” Mr. Aquino said.

In Manila, Robredo said he would validate the information revealed by Santiago on jueteng payola.

The President said he would not try to earn brownie points by having bet collectors arrested while allowing big time operators to stay in business.

“Now, I don’t want to show off and arrest a few who are small time because I want to run after the chief. I also want to make sure that we will not be creating bigger problems by stopping jueteng,” he said.

“So we need a good and comprehensive plan. We cannot just rush things and guess,” Mr. Aquino said.

“There are really those who are into jueteng who are trying to continue with their happy days. Now, as what I have been saying repeatedly, that is not in accordance with the law and will not be allowed,” Mr. Aquino earlier said.

He said he had received information that a jueteng lord had been liquidating his assets.

“The bottom line is, there is a law that says jueteng amongst other games is illegal and the law has to be upheld and enforced,” he said.

Policy review

But for Vice President Jejomar Binay, a review of the government’s policy on jueteng is in order.

“Probably it is high time to review the position of the government in the light of what has transpired. There were proposals in the past,” he told Palace reporters in Malacañang, where he administered oaths to several appointees.

Asked if he meant legalizing jueteng, Binay replied: “I am open to revisit the government’s policy. Maybe it’s time to check if it can be legalized.”

His position clashed with that of Executive Secretary Paquito Ochoa Jr. who stressed in a House hearing that legalizing jueteng “is not an option” under the administration.

Ochoa voiced the administration’s position in response to Nueva Vizcaya Rep. Carlos Padilla’s question during a hearing by the House appropriations committee on the proposed P4.1-billion 2011 budget for the Office of the President.

“We are aware that this (jueteng) has been going on. Jueteng is illegal and that is the only position the President has on this,” Ochoa said.

“The administration will do its best to stop it, but this effort will require the participation of every sector since it involves culture,” he said.

After the hearing, presidential
spokesman Edwin Lacierda told reporters that President Aquino would give the beleaguered Puno “due process” before deciding what to do with him.

“The sense of the President is to give due process to everyone, friend or foe, and that includes Usec Puno,” he said.

He said the President has asked Ochoa to study what could be done to Puno, his shooting buddy, who has offered to submit a courtesy resignation over the jueteng issue.

At the House of Representatives, Speaker Feliciano Belmonte Jr. said yesterday he was not worried the image of the House of Representatives would be tarnished by reports that some lawmakers were involved in jueteng even as he supported moves for a congressional inquiry into the matter.

Belmonte, however, cautioned the public against making wild accusations.

“These are all allegations and as somebody said it’s so easy to make a list,” Belmonte told reporters.

“People should not be so quick and easy with the names and reputations of people,” Belmonte said.

Isabela Rep. Napoleon Dy, who was among those named, denied the allegations and pointed to Charlie “Atong” Ang as the one behind illegal gambling operations in the country. Belmonte said he is against legalizing jueteng.

PNP appeals

PNP chief Director General Raul Bacalzo, meanwhile, has called on the public to help the police gather information on jueteng operators, their protectors, and even bet collectors as part of their renewed drive against the illegal numbers game.

“We call on anyone who has information on the operation of illegal gambling to come forward and help us put a stop to these illegal activities,” Bacalzo said.

“We will sustain the conduct of raids and other police operations against those involved in the proliferation of this nefarious activity. We will file cases so all those arrested will be charged in court,” he said.

“We will investigate and bring violators to court, according to the law,” the PNP chief said.

“We have the same objective (that is) to rid our country of jueteng and all other forms of illegal gambling,” said Bacalzo. “We have said, time and again, that jueteng is a multi-dimensional problem that needs the cooperation of all sectors.”

Iris Gonzales, Philippine Star