Fans vow to keep Manny safe in his tax controversy – Boxing News
Eight-time world champion, Manny Pacquiao is considered an icon in his country. Everything comes to a standstill when Manny’s fights are being televised live. For the people of the Philippines, Manny is their pride and their icon and so they have vowed to protect him in his tax controversy.
While for them it is a controversy, the tax management bureau of Philippines think was legitimate to file a complaint against the boxing legend, who could not provide enough documents to the officials to prove his tax returns. Manny is also a Congressman in his country and he is listed among the most influential men of all time belonging to the Philippines. Even though Manny has clarified his stance saying he has never even thought of ditching his country, tax officials think otherwise. With all the fame and popularity he has earned so far, the officials think he has not been sincere while paying taxes.
The complaint was filed nearly three weeks back and a lot of clarifications have come in since then from Manny’s camp. Yesterday, the current WBO welterweight champion said that he is not involved in any such activities and that he wishes to face Floyd Mayweather Jr. in the ring instead of facing him in the jail.
Manny also said that the whole controversy is a way of simply harassing him. However, today, rejecting Manny’s notion, Purisima, head of the department that oversees the bureau said, "I don't think the BIR will dare to harass an eight-time world champion. He is a national icon."
He further added, "We love Mr. Pacquiao, we respect Mr. Pacquiao... but at the same time, we have a duty to make sure we review everyone's income tax return and I don't think congressman Pacquiao should take this personally."
Pacquiao is currently scheduled to face Timothy Bradley on June 9 at the MGM Grand in Las Vegas. People from his camp think that he might lose focus due to this tax spat. Therefore, they are trying their level best to resolve the matter as soon as possible. Even the bureau has not yet decided whether they want to take the matter to the court or not.
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