GENERAL SANTOS CITY — Filipino boxing icon Manny Pacquiao continues to elude paying his remaining tax obligations amounting to some P9 million since 1995 despite repeated demands from the Bureau of Internal Revenue office here, local tax collectors said.
Jose Eric Furia, local chief revenue district officer, said that Pacquiao filed and paid income taxes for the years 2003 and 2004 only, amounting to P2 million.
“His balance due to the BIR, based on the data filed by the boxer’s accountant, is still about P 9 million. I notified him again last week to settle it within five days but so far he has not complied (as of today),” Furia said.
Pacquiao was supposed to meet Furia at the local BIR office Tuesday to discuss his tax liabilities but the boxing champion failed to show up, according to the latter.
He was reportedly in the city in the last few days and took a flight to Manila last Tuesday night via Davao City, Furia said.
The boxer earlier this year went twice to the local BIR office to discuss his tax obligations, said Furia.
In fairness to Pacquiao, Furia said the boxer had expressed his willingness to pay his tax obligations.
The boxer earlier blamed his former manager, Rod Nazario, for allegedly “failing to explain” to him his necessary tax liabilities.
Pacquiao said that if he had settled his tax dues to the United States in his fights there, then he should do it more in the country, as it will help his poor countrymen.
Furia said that aside from ring fights, Pacquiao should have filed and paid income taxes on his many product endorsements and television appearances.
Among the products that Pacquiao reportedly endorsed were Talk ’N Text and Smart cellular phones, Pony and “No Fear” sports wear, Burlington socks, Red Bull, Family Rubbing Alcohol, Alaxan, products of the Lucio Tan group of companies and Surf laundry soap.
Noel Gonzales, assistant revenue district officer, said that Pacquiao, who hails from this city, paid around May at least P2 million out of his some P11 million income tax obligations since 1995.
“He should settle his unpaid tax dues as it is his obligation to the government,” Gonzales said.
Furia said Pacquiao’s accountant and local close friends have been in close contact with the local BIR office, signifying that the boxer will not run from his tax obligations.
Furia said he would notify the BIR national office this week that Pacquiao still failed to comply with his tax dues.
“It would be up to our main office to take the necessary steps,” he added.
In the long run, Furia said the BIR national office maybe forced to file a case at the Department of Justice against Pacquiao “for willfully neglecting to file and pay income taxes.”
If eventually convicted by a court, Pacquiao could face one to six years imprisonment, Furia noted.
Furia urged the boxer to settle his unpaid income tax obligations to avoid being bothered by it, which could affect the boxer’s future fight performances.
