Court gags Pacquiao, BIR over tax suit

MANILA, Philippines—The Court of Tax Appeals has prohibited the Bureau of Internal Revenue (BIR) and boxing champ Manny Pacquiao from talking about the tax suit filed against him.

During Thursday’s hearing, CTA Presiding Justice Roman Del Rosario said both parties should refrain from talking to the media to avoid further confusion.

Reports said that the Tax Court issued a freeze order on billions of assets of Pacquiao.

The Tax Court denied issuing such order.

“It’s in the best interest of both parties,” lawyer Felix Paul Velasco of the BIR said.