SB to Pacquiao: Don’t take tax woes lightly

MANILA, Philippines - Speaker Feliciano Belmonte Jr. urged yesterday world boxing champion and Sarangani Rep. Manny Pacquiao not to take his tax woes lightly.

“You know, seriously, we cannot talk cavalierly about taxes,” he said. “The better way is to confront them and he needs a good accountant and a good lawyer.”

Pacquiao’s other colleagues reiterated their advice for him to get the best financial and legal consultants.

Minority Leader Ronaldo Zamora and You Against Corruption and Poverty Rep. Carol Jayne Lopez said that Pacquiao told them that it was not true that he owed the US government taxes.

“I advised him... to get himself a good accountant, and even better, get himself a better lawyer, and the best kind of financial adviser that you can afford. If he is able to do that, many of his problems will disappear,” Zamora said.

“We spoke about the issue and he denied it completely. He says he doesn’t owe the US government taxes other than the substantial amount he has paid already,” Lopez said.

Pacquiao and his advisers have requested to meet with Zamora, a legal expert, within the week, she added.

Apart from the P2.2 billion the Bureau of Internal Revenue (BIR) said Pacquiao owes the government, the US Internal Revenue Service is reportedly demanding $18 billion in tax arrears.