No talk of tax during Pacquiao’s courtesy call to Aquino

Manny Pacquiao and President Benigno Aquino III. INQUIRER FILE PHOTO

MANILA, Philippines – President Benigno Aquino III and Sarangani Representative Manuel “Manny” Pacquiao won’t be discussing the boxing icon’s tax liabilities during Monday’s courtesy call, Malacañang said.

“Ito ay pagkikita lang ng dalawang magkaibigan at pagpapalitan ng paghanga at pasasalamat,” Communications Secretary Herminio Coloma Jr. said in a press briefing.

(It will only be a meeting between friends and an exchange of admiration and gratitude.)

Pacquiao will meet the President more than a week after his win against Timothy Bradley at the MGM Grand Garden Arena in Las Vegas.

Immediately after Pacquiao became the new World Boxing Organization (WBO) welterweight champion, Malacañang congratulated the country’s “national treasure in global sports” for his “magnificent triumph.”

Asked if the two will talk about Pacquiao’s controversial tax woes, Coloma said Bureau of Internal Revenue (BIR) Commissioner Kim Henares has already thoroughly discussed the matter.

“Iyon namang usaping iyan ay nagkaroon na ng friendly engagement between Commissioner Henares and Congressman Pacquiao,” he said.

(When it comes to that issue, there has already been a friendly engagement between Commissioner Henares and Congressman Pacquiao.)

Coloma, however, clarified that “there is no ill will or animosity” between the two officials.

Malacañang earlier said that it was just the media that was pitting Pacquiao and Henares against each other, after the latter reminded the boxer of his more than P2.2 billion-tax deficiency.

RELATED STORIES

Pacquiao courtesy call to Aquino set for Monday

Palace: Media to blame on uproar over Pacquiao tax woes