Was capital gains tax paid?

Defense “witness” Demetrio Vicente said he bought seven parcels of land in Marikina City from Renato Corona’s wife Cristina in 1990. He said he did not worry about the property not being in his name, the Coronas being his trusted relations.

I will buy this argument provided he shows me a receipt of the capital gains tax paid that year by Mrs. Corona. With such tax document, at least he is holding one of the vital documents needed for the transfer. This document must be authentic.

Next, I should see this sale reflect as an entry in Corona’s SALN for 1991. Then Vicente would be credible, not only because he must be a good person—like the bonsai lover Sergio Osmeña, whatever branch of logic that conclusion was derived from—but also because he must be an honest story teller.

Otherwise, I cannot help suspecting he has been a caretaker of the Coronas for the last 20 years; in which case, I can at least admire his loyalty to the suspected or true property owners.

—BAYANI SANTOS JR., professor, Manuel L. Quezon University