Henares on Pacquiao bashing: I did not start this

Bureau of Internal Revenue Commissioner Kim Henares AP FILE PHOTO

MANILA, Philippines—Revenue commissioner Kim Henares went on the defensive and said she did not start the frenzy over welterweight champion Manny Pacquiao’s tax woes.

“My only comment is that I am merely replying to questions from the media… I did not initiate the discussion,” Henares told INQUIRER.net in a text message late Wednesday.

Henares was asked for her side after Senator Alan Peter Cayetano said Henares should face “reprimand” for “demonizing” Pacquiao even after the boxing champion reclaimed the welterweight title after a controversial defeat from Timothy Bradley.

“I think before anyone makes any conclusion or judgement or tries to generate publicity out of this, they should determine the facts first,” the Bureau of Internal Revenue (BIR) chief said.

Cayetano reportedly told Henares that instead of “publicly flashing” Pacquiao’s tax woes, she should have not commented to the media and instead informed Pacquiao privately.

The senator, who expressed his presidential ambitions in 2016, even said of Henares: “Don’t be overacting, or kulang sa pansin (attention-seeking).”

Henares has been in the news for reminding Pacquiao to settle his over P2.2 billion tax liabilities he supposedly owed the government from his earnings during his fights in 2008 and 2009.

Henares even reportedly told Pacquiao not to think of her in the ring.

The BIR chief went to the point of telling the media Pacquiao’s bettors during his boxing bouts should also pay the tax from their winnings in gambling spoils.

But for the revenue chief, she was only giving the media her time.

“I am merely replying to questions posed,” Henares said.

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