Carmina Villaroel shocked over husband Zoren Legaspi’s tax case

Photo courtesy of Carmina Villaroel on Instagram

MANILA — Actress-TV host Carmina Villaroel was shocked and ‘clueless’ over the Bureau of Internal Revenue’s (BIR) tax evasion case against her husband, actor-director Zoren Legaspi.

In June, the BIR filed a P4.45 million tax evasion case against Zoren Legaspi, for failing to properly file his income tax for taxable years 2010 and 2012.

BIR Commissioner Kim Henares said ‘Zoren declared only P6.

79 million in 2010 and P1.82 million in 2012 whereas BIR Information Systems and Development Operations Service’s (ISDOS) ‘Alpha Lists’ of agents showed that he received a total income of P9.64 million in 2010 and P6.49 million in 2012.’

“We were shocked. We didn’t expect that, since Zoren and I have always been diligent taxpayers,” Carmina told Inquirer during the launch of her latest endorsemet, Smart Communications’ Sulit IDD Card.

According to her, upon learning about the charge, her husband immediately responded by sending his secretary and accountant to clarify the matter and present their documents.

Despite the charge, Zoren didn’t express dismay.

In an interview with Push.com he said, “I don’t hold any grudge. I’m not angry at them. I know they’re just doing their jobs.” He is also willing to pay any tax deficiency he has incurred.

Carmina said all is well now between her family and BIR Commissioner Kim Henares.

“She’s just doing her job. I love her! She has my respect, understanding and patience. I learned a lot from the experience. Zoren and I discovered that someone else is using his tax identification number (TIN). We’re fixing everything,” she said.

After the whole experience, Carmina urged the bureau to conduct lectures and seminars about taxes to help people handle their finances efficiently.

“I bet very few people understand this. We need someone to spell things out.” She added, “Many of us don’t know how much is being deducted from our paychecks for taxes every month. We work very hard. We should know where every peso goes.”

Carmina also said the BIR case had affected their kids, twins Maverick Peter and Maria Cassandra. “We had to assure them that their parents didn’t do anything wrong. We explained what happened.”

The case against Zoren is the 240th filed under the BIR’s Run After Tax Evaders (RATE) program under President Aquino’s administration.

Apart from him, the BIR had also filed tax evasion charges against businessman Cedric Lee, former Philippine Medical Association president Leo Olarte, and boxing champion Manny Pacquiao.

With report from Cyra Moraleda