'Accused in tax credit scam feigning illness'

MANILA, Philippines - Prosecutors of the Office of the Ombudsman accused yesterday businessman Faustino Chingkoe, the alleged brains behind the Tax Credit Scam of 1994, of feigning illness to justify his continued stay in China.

In opposing his motion to extend the travel permit granted by the Sandiganbayan on March 10, 2009, government lawyers said Chingkoe and his wife Gloria are just trying to evade arrest.

Plunder charges were filed against the couple, along with former finance undersecretary Antonio Belicena and five others before the anti-graft court’s First Division.

On April 13, 2009, the Sandiganbayan ordered the arrest of the Chingkoes.

The couple has asked the court to extend their travel permit, which expired on April 24, 2009, on grounds that Faustino is sick and confined in the hospital.

The Chingkoes are facing other graft charges before the anti-graft court, also in relation to how they allegedly defrauded the government of more than P73.76 million in tax credits more than a decade ago. – Michael Punongbayan