DOF chief to Pacman: We love you, but please pay taxes

MANILA, Philippines - The country’s finance chief reminded Sarangani Rep. Manny Pacquiao that nobody is exempt from the Bureau of Internal Revenue’s (BIR) investigation.

Nonetheless, Finance Secretary Cesar Purisima said that the tax agency is not harassing Pacquiao.

“I don’t think the BIR will dare harass an eight-time world champion. I believe this is just the BIR doing its job. No one is exempted from being investigated by the BIR. Even me, they ask for my files. We love Mr. Pacquiao and we respect him and we wish him the best. But at the same time we have a duty to make sure that we review everyone’s income tax return. And I don’t think Congressman Pacquiao should take this personally. I bet you most BIR people are fans of his and this is only the BIR doing its job,” Purisima said.

He said the boxing champ has nothing to worry about if he has paid all his taxes. He also gave assurance there would be no double taxation if Pacquiao has already paid his obligations in the US.

“I think what the BIR is doing is to ask for documents because that’s part of the audit of any taxpayer. They’re asking for the amount of the taxes paid in the US and then the amount of taxes and revenue from the Philippines so that they can determine what taxes are due or not. There is no harassment,” he said.

Purisima said the BIR would not dare harass Pacquiao who is a “national icon, a national symbol and a national pride.”

He urged Pacquiao to submit his records to the bureau because it is his duty as a citizen of the country.

Pacquiao claimed in a press briefing that the charges filed by the BIR were meant to harass him.

In February, the tax agency filed contempt charges against the boxing champ for ignoring the BIR’s letters requiring him to submit documents to the agency regarding his earnings and corresponding tax payments.

The BIR, through the agency’s regional director Rozil Lozares, issued a Letter of Authority to the boxing icon requiring him to submit documents regarding his earnings.

According to the BIR, Pacquiao’s tax payments substantially declined to some P7 million in 2009 from P100 million in 2008.

Apparently, Pacquiao snubbed the BIR’s request for documents.

The BIR wants to investigate 33 tax records, including Pacquiao’s annual income tax return in 2010, his book of accounts, list of assets, as well as his earnings from his fights against Antonio Margarito and Joshua Clottey.

The agency also asked Pacquiao to provide data on his product endorsements.

The BIR filed a case against the boxing champion at the Office of the City Prosecutor in Koronadal in connection with their ongoing investigation.

Under heavy pressure to raise revenues, the BIR has been stepping up efforts to collect taxes.

It is tasked to collect P1.066 trillion this year, higher than last year’s goal of P940 billion and the actual tax-take of P924 billion.