Moreno on Marcos’ estate debt: Ignorance of law excuses no one from compliance

Being ignorant of the law should not excuse anyone from complying with it, presidential candidate and Manila Mayor Francisco “Isko” Moreno said Wednesday.

Moreno was asked for comment regarding the resolution filed by Senator Koko Pimentel III seeking an inquiry into the Bureau of Internal Revenue's (BIR's) alleged "failure" to collect the multi-billion estate tax dues of the Marcos family.

“Hindi ako lawyer pero naalala ko basta maliwanag sa batas, ikaw ay may obligasyon, hindi mo ginawa ‘yung obligasyon, meron kang pananagutan sa batas,” he said in an ambush interview.

(I'm not a lawyer but from what I remember the law is clear, if you have an obligation and you failed to fulfill that, you will be held liable.)

“Tanong, alam mo ba na mayroon kang obligasyon? Yes, because alam ninyo naman sinasabi sa batas (Are you aware of your obligation? Yes, because you know that) ignorance of the law excuses no one from compliance therewith. More so, ito’y mga pamilya ng politiko, mga politikong nagpapatupad din ng batas at gumagawa din ng batas (these are families of politicians who craft the law and supposed to implement it),” he added.

The Manila mayor said he could excuse the senior citizen who was detained after he picked kilos of mangoes.

“The law may be harsh but it is the law. Now, the same thing. Lalo na sila, sila ay nag-aral… at sila ay naging mambabatas din or naging governor at matagal sila na namuno. So alam nila ‘yung batas,” he said.

(They are educated, they became lawmaker or governor and were in position for  a long time. So they know the law.)

Further, Moreno said the payment of the Marcoses’ estate tax debt is an obligation, adding that it should not have to be demanded by the people.

“So ang punto ko, hindi na ito kailangan singilin, obligasyon ito. Dahil kung ang ordinaryong empleyado pagkuha niya ng sweldo niya, kaltas na ang buwis,” Moreno said.

(They should have paid it voluntarily because it is their obligation. Taxes were already deducted from the salary of ordinary employees before they receive it.)

“Bakit kapag ordinaryong tao, applicable ang pagbubuwis? Pero kapag malakas ka at may magaling kang abogado, kaya mong patagalin ng 25 years. Tapos ide-deny mo pa, ide-deny, tapos mag iisip ka pa. Syempre, aarkila ka ng magaling na magaling na abogado. Bilyon ang pinag-uusapan. They can afford to pay millions for the lawyers,” he added.

(Is tax collection only applicable to ordinary people? If you are influential and can hire a good lawyer, you can prolong the non-payment of taxes to 25 years. You can also deny it. We are talking about billions here.)

Former senator Ferdinand Marcos Jr. has previously claimed that there is "a lot of fake news involved" in the issues regarding his family's ill-gotten wealth.

His sister, Senator Imee Marcos, has claimed their family has yet to receive any communication from the Bureau of Internal Revenue demanding payment, the latest of which was sent in December 2021.

GMA News Online reached out to the Marcos camp for comment but has yet to receive a reply as of posting time.

Meanwhile, noticing the heated arguments among the public, Moreno offered himself as another option between the "red" and "yellow" candidates.

“Kung gusto ninyo ng peace of mind, available po ako kasi napapansin ko painit ng painit ‘yung away ng pula at dilaw. Personalan na, bilihan dito, bilihan doon. Sungkitan dito, sungkitan doon,” he said.

(If you want peace of mind, I am available becase I noticed the heated arguments between the "red" and "yellow." It has become personal, accusations and changing camps left and right.)

The Manila mayor said he believes the quarrel between the two factions will not stop should their candidates win, alluding to Marcos Jr. and Vice President Leni Robredo, who is running as an independent candidate.

“Hindi pa din nagbago ‘yung away ng pula at away ng dilaw. Kaya ako ang paniwala ko, hindi ito matitigil kapag isa sa kanila. Pagbabawian pa rin, paghihigantihan pa rin,” he said.

(I believe the fighting between the "red" and "yellow" will not stop if one if them will.)

“Para bang silang tumatakbo kasi gusto lang nila talunin ‘yung isa, ‘yung isang political clan laban sa isang political clan. So sila tungkol lang lagi sa kanila,” he added.

(It's as if they are running to beat the other, one political clan against the other. So it's all about them.)

Moreno said he is “color blind” when it comes to government, saying he will hire anyone competent.—AOL, GMA News