Caritas Philippines to Marcos Jr.: “Walk Your Talk”

According to a reply letter sent by the Bureau of Internal Revenue to Aksyon Demokratiko Party on March 14, 2022, BIR chief Caesar Dulay confirms that the tax agency “did send a written demand to the Marcos heirs (Imelda Marcos and Bongbong Marcos Jr.) on December 2, 2021, regarding their tax liabilities.”

The same has been confirmed in a letter dated March 11, 2022, by the Presidential Commission on Good Government saying that the 1997 Supreme Court ruling declaring the Marcoses’ estate has a tax deficiency of P23 billion and that the decision was final, unappealable, and executory.

“The party claiming oppression then becomes the oppressor of the orderly functions of the government. He who comes to court must come with clean hands. Otherwise, he not only taints his name but ridicules the very structure of established authority,” said the Supreme Court decision on the appeal of the Marcos camp.

To these letters, Ferdinand Marcos Jr. responded during a Kapihan Forum interview saying, “in my case, whatever the court orders me to do, I will do.”

Caritas Philippines national director and Kidapawan prelate Bishop Jose Colin Bagaforo commented that “the presidential candidate has been very consistent in his statements saying he will abide by the orders of the court. That is very noble of him. But I think it’s about time he walks his talk.”

Bishop Bagaforo added that despite ranking first in surveys, “it does not mean you’re off the hook. The more that you need to be a good example for the Filipino people. You owe it to them, to be honest, and be a man of your words.”

“You want to clear your family’s name? Do it right honestly and sincerely. If not, even your great-grandchildren will be haunted by a past they did not make or choose, by the past you so stubbornly chose to cover up.” (Jing Rey Henderson | Communications and Partnership Development Coordinator | NASSA/Caritas Philippines)

A version of this article was first published by Caritas Philippines.