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Philippines, 20 Apr 2024 |
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IT?S OKAY MANNY, IT?S JUST ANOTHER BRIDGE TO CROSS By Ed de la Vega, DDS PhilBoxing.com Thu, 28 Nov 2013  Back in the early 90?s when the dental office I built and cherished for many years was deliberately burned by brainless idiots during the ?Rodney King Riots? in Los Angeles, a good friend of mine sent me a note that said:- ?It?s okay Ed, it?s just another bridge to cross?. True enough with unwavering support from my wife, kids and my colleagues in the profession, I was able to rebuild. Today I am going on the 19th year in my present office and looking forward in the next few years to hand it over to my daughter who is following my footsteps. The tragedy and my subsequent ?rise from the ashes? reminds me of what is now going on with the Filipino boxing hero, Manny Pacquiao. Up until Pacquiao decisively beat Brandon Rios at the Cotai Arena in Macau China over the weekend, he was in a downward spiral in his boxing career. He was robbed of a win by ?three blind mice? masquerading as boxing judges in Las Vegas when he fought Tim Bradley and then was knock-out cold by a single counter right hand by Juan Manuel Marquez in the tail end of 2012. Subsequently, many opinions were then offered as to where Pacquiao was going as a boxer as if to ask ?Quo vadis, Manny?? His wife Jinky wanted him to retire. Some boxing pundits are worried about his state of mind and body. They ask:- ?Will he be able to shake up the cobwebs and be back as strong as ever?? But many particularly those close to him in boxing were confident that he will raise again particularly after getting a clean bill of health from some of the most outstanding doctors money can find. Then out of the blue Pacquiao just like the Phoenix rose again and gave a scintillating performance against Brandon Rios. Pacquiao?s win was not a simple victory. It was a symbol of the tenacity and resiliency of the Filipino people, particularly those who were affected by a double tragedy, a huge earthquake and a super typhoon that followed two weeks later. Immediately after his win Pacquiao was faced by another monster of some sort - a 2.2 billion pesos tax bill from the BIR in the Philippines. His bank accounts were frozen effectively leaving him penniless. Reportedly, he had to borrow a million pesos so he can help the typhoon victims in Leyte. Many questioned the move by the tax people in Manila. Their action, many indicated appear to be a major political move by his political enemies. They ask:- ?If Pacquiao?s account were frozen, why not do the same to the politicians who are mentioned in the Napoles ?pork barrel? scandal? ?Why have double standards?? But such is the Philippine political scene. If one is looking for a poster boy for political corruption, one can find many in the political ranks. Some say from the bottom to the top. Pacquiao?s promoter, Bob Arum indicated that the tax allegations against Pacquiao are rubbish. He stated that he has records to show that Pacquiao paid 30% of each purse he earned in the US because Top Rank Promotions, withheld the money and sent it to the IRS via electronic transfer to take care of Pacquiao?s US taxes. Arum presented copies of such transactions. However, the BIR refuses to honor them because they are not ?certified copies? from the IRS. In the Philippines, it is a common practice for people, government included to require ?certified copies? of documents if the ?original? cannot be furnished. This is because some people cheat by presenting fake documents. ?Certification? from the original issuer of the document eliminates that problem but not totally because corruption permeates in many places. ?Certification? also generates extra government income because ?certified copies? of documents require certain ?stamps? affixed to it. These stamps are purchased from the government. In Pacquiao?s case, the BIR should have accepted the documents from Top Rank and HBO. The documents presented are legal and should not be a problem. But that?s how it is in Philippine politics. People with and in power can do almost anything to their ?enemies? real and perceived. But they turn a blind eye for their friends even if they know that they are guilty as hell. Pacquiao I am sure will get over this mess. The guy is honest and hard working. He earned his money by putting his life on the line every time he fought. He is unlike many who got their money by stealing from the people using their political position as a cover. Hang in there, Manny. Things will be okay. The mess they put you in is just another bridge to cross. It is an opportunity to demonstrate your grit and determination. It may be difficult at best but you will get to the other end clean as a whistle. Click here to view a list of other articles written by Ed de la Vega, DDS.  |
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