Joker Arroyo smells harassment in BIR rap vs Pacquiao

MANILA, Philippines—Is the Bureau of Internal Revenue harassing the Pacman because, unlike his 188 colleagues in Congress, he did not sign the articles of impeachment against Chief Justice Renato Corona?

Senator Joker Arroyo raised this suspicion on Friday after noting that Saranggani Representative Emmanuel “Manny” Pacquiao was not among the 188 members of the House of Representatives who signed the impeachment complaint last  December 12.

“One disturbing aspect is that Pacquiao did not sign the articles of impeachment against CJ Corona. Can there by any connection,” the senator asked in a phone interview with Inquirer.

“You look at the articles of impeachment. Pacquiao’s name is not among those who signed.  When I first read the news that he is being investigated by the BIR, I immediately checked with the Senate officers who have a copy of the complaint. He was not a signatory.  Probably he was absent that day or whatever,” Arroyo said in English and Filipino.

House Speaker Feliciano Belmonte Jr. said Arroyo’s claim was “ridiculous.”

“Some (lawmakers) did not sign even if they were there. And it’s ok. Pacquiao was not there at all during the signing,” said Belmonte in a text message.

Pacquiao himself noted in a text message he was absent when the articles of impeachment were signed and added he hoped the case the BIR filed against him was not related to his failure to take part in the impeachment process.

While Pacquiao was training heavily for his bout with Mexican Juan Miguel Marquez late last year, the BIR demanded his tax returns after its regional office in Central Mindanao filed a complaint against him for failure to submit complete tax records for 2010.

Pacquiao, who holds eight world boxing titles, could face up to two years in prison for the omission.

Pacquiao, who won his congressional seat as a candidate of the Nacionalista Party, had already called President Benigno Aquino for help after a follow-up squeeze from the BIR.

More specifically, he asked the President to fire BIR Central Mindanao director Rozil Lozares for harassing him.

So far, the boxer has not earned any support from House members who flock to his fights in Las Vegas.

“Supposing Pacquiao was appraised of the problem during his training and before the bout, that would have shaken his morale and mental make-up,” said Arroyo, who clarified that he has not even met the boxer personally.

Arroyo added the timing of Finance Secretary Cesar Purisima’s pronouncements reiterating the necessity of the BIR investigation also becomes suspect and insensitive since Pacquiao is now deep in training for his fight against American Timothy Bradley.

Bradley will challenge the congressman’s welterweight crown on June 9.

“The finance department officials insist they love Pacquiao.  But as the guy himself said it, why did they give the BIR summons (last year) to a person he does not even know,” Arroyo asked.

“Number two, why was the summons served while he was training for a title bout then (against Marquez),” he followed up.

“And why now? You’re preparing for another fight and suddenly you get a notice, ‘hey, you’re being investigated!’ It’s enough to unsettle anyone,” the senator fumed.

“Every coach and trainer would tell an athlete to stay focused and not think of anything else. This situation can be considered more than distracting,” Arroyo added.

The senator said BIR officials could have waited “two or three days after the bout” before a public disclosure.

“There can be no question about the BIR’s right to investigate Pacquiao’s tax payments or anyone else’s. But what is in issue is the manner it was initiated,” he said.

“One can be an admirer or a detractor of Pacquiao. But one fact remains. Except for President Aquino, he is the most known Filipino internationally because of his ringside victories that made the country proud. No one, not even the government, helped him attain those heights. He did it all by himself,” Arroyo said over the phone.

The senator said it would be unfortunate if worldwide media would now refer to Pacquiao as a tax dodger.

Senator Ramon “Bong” Revilla Jr. echoed Arroyo’s sentiments.

“I am certain it is not part of the (BIR’s) job description to shame people publicly and make circuses out of their circumstances,” he said in an e-mailed statement.

“What makes this so disturbing is that its officials are acting like credit card collectors who threaten, humiliate and consider all sorts of methods just to collect. What if they were wrong? Would sorry be enough,” added Revilla, the current president of the Lakas party.

“This is not the way to treat someone who we all consider as a contemporary hero that has brought great honor and pride to the country.   Every time Manny steps into the ring, he carries on his shoulders the name and honor of the nation.  Every punch he delivers and takes is not for himself alone but also for the Filipino people,” he reminded the BIR.

Sen. Francis Escudero, however, urged Pacquiao to surrender the documents sought by the BIR if only to dispel any perception that he is asking for VIP treatment.

“Pacman can file a case against the BIR official who he thinks is harassing him.  But he still has the obligation to submit the documents being asked of him.  As a public official, he has the obligation to show the people that he can comply with government requirements. If the BIR committed an error, at least his documents would become strong evidence that he is really being harassed,” Escudero said in Filipino.

“Let it not be said that just because he is a congressman, just because he is preparing for a fight, he would be exempt from BIR requirements. This is a good opportunity for Pacquiao to show that everyone is equal under the law,” Escudero added.

With a report from Gil C. Cabacungan, Jr, Philippine Daily Inquirer