President Aquino on Thursday threw a jab at Manny Pacquiao, saying the international boxing superstar should not bring his P2.2-billion tax case before the media.
He also shrugged off speculations that his administration was harassing Pacquiao, who is allied with Vice President Jejomar Binay鈥檚 United Nationalist Alliance.
鈥淲hy would he be harassed? Where鈥檚 the logic in that?鈥� the President asked during a visit to Bohol province to check on rehabilitation efforts there following last month鈥檚 7.2-magnitude earthquake.
鈥淚f he did right, then I鈥檓 sure he will be able to prove that he did right, and therefore there is no issue,鈥� Aquino said. 鈥淪o the way to settle it is to answer all of these queries of the BIR (Bureau of Internal Revenue) and not to engage in a media war.鈥�
He added, 鈥淭he media will not decide who is right or wrong.鈥�
Aquino echoed the BIR鈥檚 position that it had been two years since the agency called Pacquiao鈥檚 attention to his supposed tax liabilities.
鈥淭he issue with the BIR is that he was being asked two years ago [about the supposed liabilities] and to my understanding, it seemed that he had a cavalier [attitude], that he was not responding to legitimate summonses by the BIR,鈥� he said.
鈥淲ith all due respect to Congressman Pacquiao, if he believes he has complied with all the necessary rules and all the necessary laws, then I鈥檓 sure he has all the evidence to [support his case].鈥�