MANILA, Philippines — The Court of Tax Appeals has acquitted former Rep. Juan Miguel "Mikey" Arroyo (Pampanga) in the tax evasion case filed against him.
In its decision, the court said the prosecution failed to prove Arroyo's guilt beyond reasonable doubt.
"Considering that the assessment issued against the accused was based on mere presumption and not on actual facts, the same is invalid and may not be the basis of accused's civil liability," the decision read.
Presiding Judge Roman del Rosario ordered the cancellation of the cash bail bond posted by the former presidential son.
The court also ordered that the civil actions to collect tax deficiencies institued with the criminal cases against Arroyo be dismissed.
In April 2011, the Bureau of Internal Revenue filed tax evasion charges against Arroyo and his wife, Angela Montenegro-Arroyo.
BIR Commissioner Kim Henares said at the time that Arroyo failed to file income tax returns in 2005, 2008 and 2009 whole his wife did not file from 2003 to 2009.
The couple's supposed unpaid taxes amounted to P73.85 million. — Patricia Lourdes Viray