Joker concerned over multiple probes

SENATOR-JUDGE Joker Arroyo voiced his apprehension over the multiple investigations being conducted against Supreme Court Chief Justice Renato Corona.

Arroyo asked Internal Revenue Commissioner Kim Henares if it was true that the BIR had already launched its own investigation into the income tax records of Corona.

Henares said the BIR was doing an investigation through the net worth method to determine if Corona had generated income for which he had not paid taxes.

Arroyo said he was concerned that the government would look like it was mustering all its forces to get Corona.

“Can you not have waited,” Arroyo asked Henares. “We don’t want the public to think that the forces of government are being used (to go after the Chief Justice.)

Arroyo pointed out that Corona had already been impeached by the House of Representatives, and was now being tried by the impeachment court in the Senate. “Then, the BIR is also conducting its own investigation,” Arroyo said.