PACMAN TAX REPRIEVE: IT'S NOT ABOUT MONEY, BUT HONORING A HERO
By Manny Piñol
PhilBoxing.com
Wed, 04 Mar 2015
People opposing the proposal of Senator Koko Pimentel to exempt Filipino boxing icon Manny Pacquiao from paying taxes for his multi-million dollar earnings in the historic fight against American Floyd Mayweather are so obsessed with the color of money they fail to appreciate the meaning of the act.
And those who claim that the passage of a Senate measure granting such tax exemption is pure and simple class legislation seem to forget that we have honored other outstanding Filipinos like Dr. Jose Rizal, by declaring their birthdays as national holidays.
But first let us discuss the question of money.
My friend and compadre, lawyer Eliseo Braganza of Davao City, last night said Pacquiao should not be exempted from paying taxes on his earnings in the Mayweather fight because he is already rich.
"Why exempt from taxes somebody who already has a lot of money?," he asked last night.
It's not about money, I told him. It's about a national gesture to say thank you to a poor boy who has made the Filipinos proud and who has set a model for other kids who are now struggling in the squalor of poverty.
Pacquiao represents the Filipino nation's struggle to gain recognition and respect.
Who among us Filipinos of today, or even of yesterday, has brought the nation to a level of international awareness where even CNN features Pacquiao on a daily basis.
How many millions of dollars does our government pay the international cable news network just so the Philippines could be featured in 15-second commercials?
Here, Pacquiao gives the Philippines unquantifiable media mileage for two months before the fight, more so if he wins the fight against Mayweather.
Granting a tax exemption to Manny Pacquiao is our way of thanking him for making us all proud.
Win or lose, Pacquiao's fight against the undefeated Mayweather has already inscribed the word Filipino in the history books of sports and I believe no other Filipino in this generation or even the next could equal that.
Class legislation?
How poor could these people's memory be.
Remember the Congressional actions granting financial rewards to outstanding Filipino athletes?
Following the "class legislation" argument, are they saying that the financial incentive given to Onyok Velasco for winning an Olympic silver medal should also be granted to another amateur boxer who has lost all his fights?
Manny Pacquiao is a source of pride for this miserable nation plagued by corruption and criminality and an inspiration to all of us struggling to survive everyday.
Granting him tax exemption in his fight against Mayweather is not giving alms to a poor boxer but a recognition of the honor he has brought this country.
Pacquiao is not asking for it but this nation should give it to him.
Failing to do that is ungratefulness in its worst form.
Click here to view a list of other articles written by Manny Piñol.
Recent PhilBoxing.com In-House articles:
Ancajas awaits call to join card
By Joaquin Henson, Tue, 24 Jun 2025Macado fights Dulayba in Venue 88
By Lito delos Reyes, Tue, 24 Jun 2025“Showtime” Shea Willcox & Rich Allen turned in KO Performances
Tue, 24 Jun 2025Undefeated prospect Marco Romero To be showcased on Deontay Wilder PPV card this Friday night in Wichita
Tue, 24 Jun 2025Toro Promotions. Inc. to promote its First International pro boxing show in El Salvador on September 20th
Tue, 24 Jun 2025Oklahoma Completes Dream Season; Whips Indiana in Game 7, 103-91 for First NBA Title in Thunder Era
By Teodoro Medina Reynoso, Mon, 23 Jun 2025Japanese Boxer Jin Sasaki Suffers Memory Loss Following Brutal Knockout in WBO Title Fight
By Gabriel F. Cordero, Mon, 23 Jun 2025Toshihiko Era Becomes WBF Asia Champion at Age 50
By Carlos Costa, Mon, 23 Jun 2025Ador Torres, Renato Cha, Lemuel De Barbo and Ivan Ognayon Score KO Wins in Thailand
By Carlos Costa, Mon, 23 Jun 20252025 USA Boxing Junior Olympics and Summer Festival Concludes with Junior, Youth and Elite Championships
Mon, 23 Jun 2025Second Stage of the WBC Boxing Grand Prix Concludes with Great Success: Heavyweight and Featherweight
By Gabriel F. Cordero, Sun, 22 Jun 2025Miel Ticket: Vito Mielnicki Jr. Shuts Out Kamil Gardzielik
Sun, 22 Jun 2025WBC Grand Prix super lightweight results from Riyadh
By Gabriel F. Cordero, Sun, 22 Jun 2025Francisco Rodriguez Jr. Stuns Galal Yafai in Birmingham, Secures Interim WBC Flyweight Title
By Dong Secuya, Sun, 22 Jun 2025Jesse 'The Little Giant' Espinas Crowned WBC Asia Super Flyweight Champion in Exciting Knockout Victory in China
By Carlos Costa, Sun, 22 Jun 2025