Tax court gags Pacman, Kim

MANILA, Philippines - The Court of Tax Appeals (CTA) has ordered boxing icon Manny Pacquiao and the Bureau of Internal Revenue (BIR) not to disclose details of the boxer’s tax case to the public.

The CTA has reset to next year the hearing on the case filed by Pacquiao questioning the freeze order on his assets by the BIR.

This came after both parties agreed to talk first before the CTA’s first division starts hearing the case.

The CTA told both parties to inform the court of the outcome of their talks before the hearing on Jan. 16.

The BIR was supposed to present its evidence yesterday but it was ordered deferred by the court.

The Sarangani congressman and his wife, Sarangani vice governor Jinkee earlier filed a petition for review questioning the garnishment order of the BIR over his assets in a bid to collect the supposedly unpaid taxes.

The BIR assessed the Pacquiao couple of having deficiency income tax for the years 2008 and 2009 in the total amount of P2,229,020,905.50 (inclusive of 50 percent surcharge and 20 percent yearly interest).

The alleged tax deficiency has increased to P3.2 billion due to additional penalties imposed by the BIR.

Pacquiao is appealing before the tax court the assessment of the BIR, which had accused him of failing to pay taxes worth P2.2 billion from his bouts in the US in 2008 and 2009.

Pacquiao maintained he had already paid the taxes in the US, but the BIR said it has not received documents that would prove that the taxes have been paid.

Pacquiao and wife Jinkee have said they were willing .to pay, but not the P2.2 billion the BIR claims they owe in unpaid income and value added taxes for 2008 and 2009.

Pacquiao yesterday said he was willing to sit down with the BIR and talk this over.

“Wala namang problema, puwede kaming mag-usap (There’s no problem, we can talk),” Pacquiao told GMA-7 during an interview.

BIR Commissioner Kim Henares said she was amenable to meeting with Pacquiao.

The problem is that the boxing champion is talking not to the BIR but to the media on his tax case, she said.

If Pacquiao could prove that he paid the taxes in the US, Henares said the boxer could deduct the taxes he paid there from his tax liabilities here.

However, when those are deducted, Henares said the Sarangani lawmaker would still owe the government some amount in income and value added taxes.

The House of Representatives, acting on a resolution filed by Dasmariñas City Rep. Elpidio Barzaga Jr., is planning to launch an inquiry into the tax case of its richest and only billionaire member.

However, Valenzuela Rep. Magtanggol Gunigundo has filed a bill seeking to exempt Pacquiao from income tax for life.

“Manny Pacquiao doesn’t know that I’ve filed that bill. I’ve never been to any of his fights, I’m content with watching him on TV… I don’t think he deserves this ignominious treatment from the BIR,” he said.

In filing House Bill 3521, Gunigundo said this might be the first time in the Philippines that this rare privilege of lifetime tax exemption will be conferred on an individual taxpayer.

He said Pacquiao has brought “more countless honor and pride to the Filipino people.”

Gunigundo cited the case of Luz Marina Zuluaga of Colombia, who was bestowed a similar privilege after winning the Miss Universe crown in 1958. The Colombian government also printed postal stamps in her honor and declared a national holiday in her name.

“His (Pacquiao’s) generosity and desire to help that extends even up to the use of his hard-earned money is noteworthy. He is an exemplar of humility, a refreshing soul in the Philippines,” Gunigundo said.

He said Pacquiao always praises his opponents and “he never seemed to revel in fame.”

 â€“Jess Diaz, Paolo Romero