MANILA, Philippines - Malacañang on Monday defended Bureau of Internal Revenue (BIR) Commissioner Kim Henares for reminding Filipino boxing icon Manny Pacquiao of his tax liabilities.
Deputy Presidential Spokesperson Abigail Valte said Henares is only doing her duty as the head of the government agency tasked to go after citizens' taxes.
"She's very focused on her job and on her mandate. I don't quite think that she intends to be offensive. She's just doing her job," Valte said at a televised press briefing.
Valte added that Henares surely does not plan to disrespect Pacquiao nor lessen the new honor that the boxing superstar has brought to the country after defeating American fighter Timothy Bradley Jr. on Sunday.
"At this point, I don't think that she meant to be a spoiler to his victory," the Palace official said.
According to reports, Pacquiao has a guaranteed purse of $20 million from his rematch with Bradley, whom he defeated via a unanimous decision, avenging his controversial split-decision loss in their first meeting in 2012.
Even days before the fight, reports said Henares reminded Pacquiao that win or lose, the boxer has to pay to BIR 32 percent of his earnings from the latest bout.
But Henares clarified that she only issued the reminder to Pacquiao because she was asked by media.
"First, the issue of Mr. Pacquiao was raised only because I was asked questions. Kung hindi naman ako tinatanong, hindi naman ako nagsasalita," Henares said at a televised press conference in Manila last Friday.
Last December 2013, Pacquiao and the BIR went on a verbal war after the Saranggani congressman allegedly failed to settle his tax dues from his fights in 2008 and 2009.
Valte said the BIR has been working with Pacquiao on how to settle his tax liabilities.
"We don't mean to make it hard for Congressman Pacquiao," Valte said.
Meanwhile, Valte also downplayed humorous online criticisms and internet memes attacking Henares, saying these were only probably made "in the spirit of fun."
"We know how we (Filipinos) can find humor in every situation and perhaps, this is an example of that," Valte said.