“Joining a sports activity where the President is present does not stop or deter the [Bureau of Internal Revenue] from pursuing its case against Representative Pacquiao,” said Presidential Communications Operations Office (PCOO) head Herminio Coloma Jr. in a report on GMA News’ “24 Oras” Wednesday.
He was referring to the shootfest held at the Presidential Security Group’s firing range last December 21 where Pacquiao was partnered with Henares.
The Pacquiao-Henares tandem in the shootfest was reported by the Philippine Daily Inquirer on Jan. 1, 2014.
The BIR has filed a P2.2-billion tax evasion case against Pacquiao, resulting in the freezing of his bank accounts.
The case stemmed from the supposed failure of Pacquiao’s accountant to report in his income tax returns (ITR) the multi-million-dollar taxes collected by the US Internal Revenue Service (IRS) from his prize winnings for the years 2008 to 2009, reportedly amounting to $28 million.
The Court of Tax Appeals has issued a gag order against Pacquiao and Henares.
Interviewed by GMA News, Henares said she and Pacquiao did not talk about the tax case during the shootfest.
“We just conversed about who shoots which target and how we will do it,” Henares said. “Lahat ng usapan was all about the friendly game lang.”
She added that they were “cordial” during the event. “Bakit naman kami hindi magiging cordial? We’re both guests.”
Coloma said Aquino invited Pacquiao to the shootfest after the world-renowned boxer paid a courtesy call on the President recently.
He added that the competition showed that Aquino has nothing personal against Pacquiao, who supported former Sen. Manuel Villar in the 2010 presidential election.
“Friendly engagement simply proves that the President does not harbor any ill will against Representative Pacquiao despite the fact that the BIR is making him accountable for reported deficiencies in his income tax payments,” he said. — KBK, GMA News
