Lifetime Tax Exemption For Manny Pacquiao Hoping For KO

Correspondent : Fellnah Marie C. Amejan

Although Senator Aquilino "Koko" Pimentel III proposal on granting tax incentives to our boxing hero and People's champ Manny Pacquiao appears to be appealing in some ways, a number of people is still against it and questions the senator's proposition. The senator said that it would be a "fitting tribute" to Pacquiao and to inspire him as well in his upcoming fight with the American boxer, Floyd Mayweather Jr., this May 2. 

To name a few, two congressmen are against this proposal, House Speaker Feliciano Belmonte jr. and House Citizen's Battle Against Corruption party-list Rep. Sherwin Tugna. According to Belmonte, why would we grant tax exemption to the richest member of the House of the Representatives. 

Also, there were two senators reported to be against this proposal as well. 

Senator Chiz Escudero, chairman of the Senate Committee, said that he would rather find ways to lower the taxes of those Filipino who are low income earners. 

Senator Ralph Recto also said that this will be unnecessary since the government of the US will taxed Pacquiao with his fight.

Even Rep. Miro Quimbo, Chairman of House Committee on Ways and Means, said to prioritize giving tax exemption to our policemen, army and other ordinary workers that are struggling instead of Sarangani Rep. Manny Pacquiao. He said also that this will raise questions to the equality and fairness of other profession and Filipino athletes as well.

This isn't the first proposal raised in favor of Pacquiao though because there were few last year in the Lower House who wanted the same due to the honor that the boxer has made to the our country.

The Filipino boxer is expected to have a guaranteed $100 million (Php 4.4 billion) for this match. It is said that this is his richest prize of his boxing career.

As what we can see during Manny's fights, he fights fairly in the boxing ring which I believe this is what makes the boxer to be a true follower not even in the ring but as a citizen as well. Not to mention that the reason he was elected as a representative in Sarangani is because the people believes that he is a trustworthy servant.