“It doesn?t matter if he?s a sports hero. He must pay,” Morales said before the local media yesterday during an impromptu press conference held at the Bureau of Customs Office of the Commissioner (OCOM).
However, it was not Pacquiao?s rival Erik Morales who made the statement but Customs Commissioner Napoleon Morales, as he clarified that the People?s champ will not be exempt from paying proper duties and taxes if he has plans to bring back to the country his recently acquired top-of-the-line Mercedes 2007 SL 550 Roadster.
The model reportedly costs $ 95,575 and has special features such as handcrafted interior appointments, a vigorous 382-horsepower V-8 engine, SIRIUS Satellite Radio, seven-speed automatic transmission with Touch Shift, and retractable aluminum hardtop to transform it from coupe to open roadster in mere seconds.
According to Morales, he has no power to exempt the boxing champion from paying his taxes as that authority lies solely in the hands of the Department of Finance (DoF).
“I don?t foresee any problems with regard to his payment of taxes because he won a fairly large amount,” Morales said. “Now, I guess it’s time to appeal to my friend and idol for some help in meeting my target.”
Morales added that it is unlikely that the government will grant privileges to sports heroes as it would be unfair to regular balikbayans who pay taxes for the entry of their high end luxury vehicles into the county.
“I am sure that they will understand their obligations to the country. This is one way of helping uplift the economy as taxes collected from their cargo will be pumped into various government programs,” he said.
The Commissioner said the Pacquiao?s dues will be based on the car?s model and will depend on the book value of the vehicle.
Morales has earlier ordered a crackdown on high end luxury vehicles being displayed in showrooms in the Quezon Avenue for proper documentation as part of the BoC?s drive against vehicle smuggling in the country.
