Boxing legend Manny Pacquiao has secured another legal victory against the Bureau of Internal Revenue (BIR) in a long-standing P2.2 billion tax case.
The Court of Appeals (CA) upheld the previous ruling of the Court of Tax Appeals (CTA), which nullified the BIR’s demand for Pacquiao and his wife, Jinkee Pacquiao, to settle alleged tax deficiencies amounting to P2.2 billion.
In its decision, the CA ruled that the BIR failed to follow proper procedures, particularly the issuance of a Notice for Informal Conference and a clear basis for the tax assessment. The court emphasized that the absence of these requirements violated the Pacquiaos’ right to due process.
The case originated from Pacquiao’s earnings between 2008 and 2009, including boxing match winnings, endorsement deals, and public appearances. While the couple had already paid P32 million in value-added taxes, they contested the BIR’s P2.2-billion assessment, leading to this lengthy legal battle.
This ruling marks another significant win for Pacquiao in his fight against what he calls unjust taxation.