Cristina Corona's 2003 property deal prompts BIR to investigate

Cristina Corona, wife of impeached Chief Justice Renato Corona, bought a house in 2003, without proof of income, prompting the Bureau of Internal Revenue to investigate the transaction.   BIR Commissioner Kim Henares on Wednesday testified before the Senate as an impeachment court, noting, “In September 9, 2003, Cristina Corona has been a one-time tax payer for a property transaction in La Vista,” a Quezon City enclave for rich people.   Henares said the facts of the matter came to light only after the Senate subpoenaed the documents pertaining to the transaction. As such, it prompted the bureau to look deeper into the matter.   “We will conduct a tax probe on Mrs. Corona… We only found this last January 20, 2012.”   “Mrs. Corona has no income during the time she purchased the eleven-million La Vista property,” Henares said, adding that the chief justice’s wife did not file an income tax return that same year.   Presiding officer Senate President Juan Ponce Enrile cast doubts on Henares’ credibility to make such an assertion. “Were you present at that transaction? [That is just] hearsay.”   Henares explained that the bureau has records showing the transaction took place, saying a document regarding Corona’s “ONETT (one-time transaction)” is with the bureau.   Before a land title transfer can be made, a buyer or seller should pay the capital gains tax and documentary stamp tax with the BIR, Henares explained. “When somebody sells, taxes should be fully paid,” she said.  “BIR would [then] issue a certificate authorizing the registration [of the property],” Henares added. After completing her testimony, she handed over all tax-related documents to the impeachment court.   Private prosecutor Arthur Lim commented, “[Cristina Corona is a] tax payer with no income, buying a property worth eleven million pesos.” — VS, GMA News