Court denies ordering bank account freeze vs Pacquiao

The Court of Tax Appeals on Tuesday denied a Manila Bulletin report claiming the court issued a freeze order on several bank accounts belonging to boxing champion and Sarangani Rep. Manny Pacquiao.

In an interview with GMA News Online, CTA clerk of court Margaret Guzman said the tax court is indeed hearing a tax evasion case against Pacquiao filed by the Bureau of Internal Revenue last August 1, but has not yet issued any order to freeze the boxer's bank accounts.

Pacquiao held a surprise press conference Tuesday afternoon in General Santos City to denounce the purported freeze order as a political move that singled him out, but did not give specifics.

"It wasn't the court that froze the accounts of spouses Pacquiao, contrary to the news," she said, adding that the news reports probably were referring to a "warrant of garnishment" earlier issued by the BIR to the banks.

The CTA First Division is chaired by presiding Justice Roman del Rosario.

"The BIR has the power to issue warrants of garnishment separate and distinct from a court order freezing accounts," Guzman said.

Guzman, however, confirmed that the CTA First Division is in the middle of hearing a separate motion by the Pacquiaos questioning the BIR's move and asking that the "warrants of distraint and levy, and garnishment" issued by the revenue agency be lifted.

Pacquiao filed his motion against the BIR warrant of garnishment on October 18.

Guzman said the motion was part of the main case pending with the CTA which stemmed from a BIR assessment that alleged the Pacquiaos had incurred "deficiency income and value-added tax" from 2008 to 2009, worth P2.2 billion. The main tax case was filed on August 1, she added.

Guzman said the CTA is set to resume its proceedings for the tax case on December 5, in which it would hear the counter evidence to be presented by the government against Pacquiao's motion to lift the warrant of garnishment. — BM, GMA News