Lifetime tax exemption for Pacquiao sought

For bringing pride and honor to the country, Sarangani Rep. Manny Pacquiao should be exempted from paying taxes for the rest of his life.

This was according to Valenzuela Rep. Magtanggol Gunigundo, who filed House Bill No. 3521 seeking a lifetime individual tax exemption for Pacquiao.

In a report on GMA News' “24 Oras” on Friday, Gunigundo clarified that only Pacquiao's personal earnings will be tax exempt, while earnings from businesses and other assets will still be taxed.

“Si Pacman is a class of his own. Siya lang ang nakakapagpa-zero crime rate pag may laban... dapat ipakita naman nating mahal sya ng mga Pilipino,” he said.

Gunigundo said exempting someone from paying taxes is within the powers of the legislative.

But for Bureau of Internal Revenue (BIR) commissioner Kim Jacinto-Henares, the move may be legal but it will not be fair.

“The question is if it is legal, constitutional and right. Possible? Oo. Pero fair, legal, constitutional? I don't think that's fair,” she said.

Meanwhile, the Internal Revenue Service has reportedly placed a $18.5 million levy on Pacquiao's bank accounts in the US, according to fighthype.com, an online sports news for boxing and mixed martial arts.

The “24 Oras” report said Pacquiao has yet to talk with his lawyer on the issue.

The report quoted Henares as saying that the BIR has no information on the levy. — Danessa Rivera/KBK, GMA News