CODDLERS of the Ligot couple will certainly get the ax of the law.

Thus assured Malacañang as it warned those who are providing protection to former military comptroller Jacinto Ligot and his wife Erlinda, who are both wanted for alleged tax evasion.

Deputy presidential spokesperson Abigail Valte said the Philippine National Police (PNP) has already formed tracer teams to go after the couple, who are the subjects of an arrest order from the Court of Tax Appeals (CTA).

“Certainly meron ’yan, may liability ’yan under the law. I’m not quite clear if it will be aiding and abetting a fugitive or obstruction of justice,” Valte told a radio forum over the state-owned PBS Radyo ng Bayan  for Palace reporters.

The Revised Penal Code’s Article 307 addresses aiding and abetting “a band of brigands,” and covers the act of “giving them information of the movements of the police or other peace officers of the Government.” Such acts are punishable by imprisonment.

Obstruction of justice on the other hand  as defined by Presidential Decree 1829 carries a penalty of imprisonment of up to six years, or a fine of up to P6,000.

It covers “harboring or concealing, or facilitating the escape of, any person he knows, or has reasonable ground to believe or suspect, has committed any offense under existing penal laws in order to prevent his arrest, prosecution and conviction.”

Valte declined to comment on whether heads will roll over the sudden disappearance of the Ligot couple.

“From what I understand, while there was a case filed against them, wala pang lumalabas na arrest warrant prior to that,” she said.

She said an information from the Bureau of Immigration shows that “they are still in the country.”

Asked if Malacañang was disappointed over the Ligots’ disappearance such that heads should roll, Valte said it was too early to say, stressing the Palace still has to get the  entire picture at this time.

But Valte said that since the Court of Tax Appeals already ordered the Ligots’ arrest, the prosecutors can ask for the issuance of a hold-departure order against them.

The Department of Justice (DOJ) earlier recommended the filing of charges against the Ligots for violation of Section 225 of the NIRC of 1997 for taxable year 2001, and for violation of Section 254 of the NIRC for three counts for taxable years 2002, 2003 and 2004.