MANILA (UPDATED) - The Bureau of Internal Revenue (BIR) is investigating the wealth of businesswoman Janet Lim Napoles, after photos of her daughter flaunting their wealth appeared on social media.
Napoles is the alleged brains behind the P10-billion pork barrel "scam."
The Instagram account of her daughter, Jeane, shows photos of the younger Napoles boasting about expensive cars she received from her parents during her birthday debut and graduation from college.
The photos also show expensive watches, jewelry, clothing, and shoes.
One Instagram photo claimed that she bought all the items at a branded bag store.
Another showed shopping sprees in other countries.
The photos were sent to ABS-CBN News by a friend of the younger Napoles, a a fashion designer and model, after the pork barrel scam hit news headlines.
Jeane Napoles' Instagram account has since been deleted, but other photos and video clips showing her lifestyle are continuing to circulate online.
One Vimeo video clip shows her 21st birthday party at Beverly Hills. The video was later made private but a copy was uploaded on YouTube.
Meanwhile, another blog claims that the younger Napoles has a clutch bag costing roughly P400,000 and 9 pairs of shoes costing P360,000 each.
It also alleged that her watches alone cost P1 million each.
ABS-CBN News showed the photos to her mother, Janet Lim Napoles, who confirmed their authenticity.
She, however, offered an explanation for them.
Napoles said her daughter's Porsche was a gift when her daughter graduated magna cum laude.
Another Porsche was a gift during her daughter's birthday, she added.
She said they also gave jewelry and expensive watches as gifts during her birthday.
Napoles denied that they own the 20 pieces of luggage at a Japan airport, but did not disown luggage that arrived in Manila.
She said they only had 5 pieces of luggage and a copier machine.
Napoles said it was their right to go shopping because they were earning money from their business ventures.
She also denied buying all of the items sold at a high-end bag shop.
Napoles insisted that their wealth is the the result of legitimate business.
"Wala po na nanggaling sa gobyerno, ni piso. Lahat pong yan ay hanapubuhay namin galing sa aming pinaghirapan," she said. "Kaming mag-asawa ay nagpapakamatay na maghanapbuhay para maibigay po namin sa aming mga anak.:
She also confirmed that they co-own a P7-million hotel near Disneyland in Los Angeles, California.
BIR chief Kim Henares said she has also recieved photos and information on the Napoles family.
She said the bureau is now looking into the family's properties.
She said there is nothing wrong in flaunting one's wealth as long as the person pays the right taxes.
She said tax evasion charges will be filed against Napoles if there is evidence to support the allegation.
"Sabi niyo mayaman kayo, kailangang ma establish kung ano yung asset. Check natin kung nagbayad ng tamang buwis. Kung talagang mayaman at nagbayad, walang problema. May problema lang kung hindi nagtutugma yung dalawa," Henares said.
Napoles, meanwhile, said they have paid the right taxes and she is ready to reveal all of their wealth if needed.
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