The Bureau of Internal Revenue (BIR) said on Monday it has a "very strong case" against a Bulacan businessman who earned the distinction of being the first taxpayer charged with tax evasion under the Aquino administration.

Top revenue officials made the comment after the Villarica Pawnshop came out last week with a paid newspaper advertisement stating that William Villarica, the respondent in the tax evasion complaint, was not connected with the lending company.

BIR Commissioner Kim S. Jacinto-Henares said, however, the BIR had obtained a copy of a deed of sale of the P26-million Lamborghini sport car.

“Where did he (Villarica) get the money to acquire the very expensive Italian vehicle and other equally high-end cars from Britain, Germany, and the United States like Bentley and Mercedes Maclaren?” Henares asked.

Revenue Deputy Commissioner for Legal and Enforcement Service Stella Sales said the tax evasion case does not concern the pawnshop business, but the non-payment of income and business taxes during the past 10 years.

Friends of Villarica, who refused to be named, claimed he was a recipient of a huge inheritance from his rich parents, and his income was purely passive like interests on bank deposits, subject to the final withholding tax, and the sale of real estate properties, subject to the capital gains tax.