Pacquiao mum on tax troubles; focuses on Yolanda relief

Manny Pacquiao has sealed his lips, at least on his tax evasion controversy.

“No comment na tayo diyan. Lahat ng about sa ganyang issue, nandoon na sa abogado ko. Basta ako, focus na ako,” said Pacquiao in a "24 Oras" report Friday night.



The boxing champion's decision to dial down the rhetoric comes after Bureau of Internal Revenue commissioner Kim Henares said that they had put a premium on the Pacman's being the 'People's Champ' and so doing, didn't slap him with a tax evasion case.

“Pasalamat na ako sa kabutihan na nagawa nila,” Pacquiao said of Henares's decision. “Mabuting loob nila. Salamat.”

The threat of a tax evasion case loomed large over Pacquiao almost as soon as he returned from a successful bout with Brandon Rios in Macao.

“Tama na 'yun na nagbigay na ako ng statement, yung side ko. Taumbayan na ang maghusga. 'Wag nating walain ang focus natin sa Panginoon. Focus, and then paggawa ng mabuti.”

Pacquiao, who is also a Christian preacher, believes that these trials come with his triumphs. He also believes that, with the help of the Filipino people, this, too, shall pass.

“Marami pong salamat sa buong sambayanang Pilipino. Thank you so much sa lahat ng inyong laging pagdadasal para sa akin,” he said. “Magdasal lang tayo sa Panginoon at hinihiling ko po yung dasal ninyo at suporta, lalung-lalo na sa mga trials na dito sa trials na dumadating sa buhay ko.”

He added, “Kayo po ang tanging lakas ko, na kaya ako laging inspirado sa mga bagay na ginagawa ko. Salamat po, at maraming salamat din sa Mahal na Panginoon.”

With all this in the background, Pacman is now planning to travel to Super Typhoon Yolanda-hit areas in order to share the Word of God, his experiences and hardships, and also give encouragement to the typhoon victims.

He begins his trip on Saturday, November 30, and returns to General Santos City, his home, on Monday, December 2.

“Excited na ako makatulong sa inyo kahit papaano at makapag-share din ako ng encouraging words para sa inyong buhay at Word of God,” he declared. — Vida Cruz/DVM, GMA News