IBP exec says Henares may face contempt, disbarment

MANILA, Philippines - The spokesperson of the Integrated Bar of the Philippines (IBP) said yesterday that Bureau of Internal Revenue (BIR) chief Kim Henares could face contempt for declaring under oath during the impeachment trial that Chief Justice Renato Corona did not file his income tax return (ITR).

Lawyer Trixie Angeles told reporters during the weekly Annabels’ news forum in Quezon City that Henares could also face disbarment if some party files a complaint with the IBP and it is proven that she lied under oath.

“The case may include violation of Code of Ethics, perjury and possible disbarment,” she said.

Angeles was reacting to questions on the impact of the testimony of Supreme Court (SC) employee Araceli Bayuga that the Corona has completely filed all his income tax as far as the records of the SC is concerned.

She said the BIR office in Manila duly received the documents.

Henares, the sixth witness presented by the prosecution, had testified that Corona has not filed his ITR completely.

The tax payments of the SC were contained in the so-called Alpha list, which is regularly submitted to the BIR.

Meanwhile, lawyer Tranquil Salvador, who was also present during the forum, said the defense is not keen on running after the BIR chief, as this may be perceived as harassment.

He said they presented Bayuga to demolish the testimony of Henares and prove that Corona has complied with the filing of income tax returns.

Salvador said that their main priority is to build up a strong defense that would dispute all the allegations in the Articles of Impeachment.

“We are laying down a strong foundation, like building a house. We will soon build the walls, the roof until the building is completed,” he said, adding that the defense would keep the identities of their witnesses until they appear in the impeachment trial.