FILIPINO boxing icon Manny “Pacman” Pacquiao has settled his tax obligations, which is reportedly worth P10 million, with the Bureau of Internal Revenue (BIR), the district office in this city confirmed last week.
Noel Gonzales, acting BIR district officer here, said Pacquiao is also set to pay millions in line with his value added tax (VAT) obligations.
“His lawyer has called me up so he can also settle his VAT-able dues,” Gonzales said.
He said Pacquiao settled his tax obligations last month at the BIR main office in Manila.
But the boxer’s tax payment has yet to be credited to General Santos city.
“I already wrote the BIR Commissioner Mario Bu?ag to credit Manny’s tax payment to the local district. If this will not be credited to us, it’s useless since the money could not be used for development works in the city,” Gonzales said.
Pacquiao earlier told the local media that he has no intention of reneging on his tax obligations.
“I want to help my fellow Filipinos by paying my tax obligations,” the world-renowned boxer said.
Pacquiao is currently on the thick of preparations to train for his next fight with Mexican Oscar Larios in Manila.
Last year, Pacquiao was besieged by demands from the local BIR office to settle his tax obligations since 1995 amounting to about P10 million.
Pacquiao had failed to beat the deadline given by the local BIR office last year and his case was elevated to the national office.
The boxer earlier blamed his former manager, Rod Nazario, for allegedly “failing to explain” to him his tax liabilities. (RBS)
