By Osman Rodriguez
According to overseas reports, Philippine tax officials have filed a criminal complaint against WBO welterweight champion Manny Pacquiao for failure to submit documents to investigators looking into his tax returns. As a result, local prosecutors will now attempt to put together enough evidence to bring a case against Pacquiao to court. If convicted, Pacquiao could face up to two years in jail.
Rozil Lozares, the Bureau of Internal Revenue regional director, says a complaint was filed on March 1 after Pacquiao failed to submit the documents despite three notices and a subpoena.
Lozares stated that Pacquiao's 2010 tax return contained "discrepancies" related to his many businesses and endorsements.
Pacquiao, who is also a congressman in Sarangani, is the latest fighter to struggle with tax issues. Several other fighters in the last few years, including Floyd Mayweather Jr., Roy Jones Jr. and Thomas Hearns, have been involved in well documented battles over taxes.
