The man named as a possible tax evader in the President’s State-of-the-Nation Address (SONA) on Monday denied the charge and accused the Bureau of Internal Revenue (BIR) of depriving him of due process in filing tax evasion charges against him.

William R. Villarica said BIR officials deprived him of due process when they skipped the process of sending a letter of authority to a suspected tax evader and a notice  for informal conference before elevating the case to the Department of Justice (DoJ).

During Monday’s preliminary investigation, Villarica filed an omnibus motion asking the DoJ to direct the BIR to produce original documents to support the charges against him.

The BIR had filed a complaint against Villarica for alleged non-payment of proper taxes from 2002 to 2009.

Villarica said that contrary to the BIR’s claim, the five branches of the Villarica Pawnshop which he owned closed operations in 2001. He also denied having purchased a P26-million Lamborghini sports car.