Lim faces charges over tax deficiencies

MANILA, Philippines – Former Manila mayor Alfredo Lim and two former city officials were charged before the Office of the Ombudsman on Monday for the city government’s failure to pay taxes during Lim’s administration.

Motorcyclists’ rights advocate Reynante Sacaguing said Lim, former city treasurer Marisa de Guzman and former city accountant Maria Lourdes Manlulu should be investigated for failing to remit P572 million in taxes to the Bureau of Internal Revenue during Lim’s term as mayor.

Had Lim paid taxes on time, the national government would have funds to repair roads, Sacaguing said, noting that he sustained serious injuries in 2012 when his bike hit a pothole near the city hall.

Two months ago, graft charges were also lodged against Lim before the Office of the Ombudsman for his role in an allegedly anomalous parking deal in 2013 that has caused the city to lose some P3.46 billion in revenue.