After drawing criticisms for allegedly harassing the country?s triumphant boxing champion, Malaca?ang has assured that Sarangani Rep. Manny Pacquiao will be given fair treatment in his tax fraud case.
Presidential Communications Operations Secretary Herminio Coloma Jr. however urged boxing icon Pacquiao to show that he is a law-abiding citizen by facing his tax obligations.
?Actions taken by the BIR (Bureau of Internal Revenue) have adhered to what the law requires. He has been given ample opportunity to comply, and he will continue to be treated fairly,? Coloma said.
?As a public official, it will be well for him to demonstrate that he, too, is a law-abiding citizen,? the Palace official added.
Pacquiao earlier denounced the government?s decision to freeze his bank accounts as authorities seek to collect P2.2 billion in unpaid taxes. The freeze order was announced a day after he defeated Brandon Rios in Macau that lifted the spirits of the Filipinos reeling from the destruction causes by super typhoon Yolanda.
Pacquiao?s lawyers, reports said, plan to file a motion to lift the warrant issued by the BIR to seize his bank assets.
The BIR earlier claimed that Pacquiao failed to prove that he paid taxes from his prize winnings in 2008 and 2009. It gave the lawmaker two years to present a tax return from the US Internal Revenue Service but Pacquiao?s promoter instead gave the BIR a letter on the payment of US taxes.
