Philstar.com reports that Bureau of Internal Revenue (BIR) director for Region 8 Rozil Lozares read a Bible verse addressed to boxer Manny Pacquiao to remind him of his alleged pending tax obligations. According to Philstar.com, Lozares read this passage from the Book of Matthew in Filipino: "The Pharisee asked Jesus if he should pay taxes to Caesar. Jesus took a coin and asked the Pharisee whose face was on it. He replied, 'Caesar's.' Then Jesus said 'Give to Caesar what is Caesar's and to God what is God's.'"
The BIR is questioning the fact that Pacquiao's tax dues "dropped from over P100 million in 2008 to only P7 million in 2009." Pacquiao has said that the tax he pays to the BIR is only for his earnings in the country and doesn't include what he earns in his U.S. fights. Pacquiao said he has already paid taxes in the U.S..In this light, the BIR says he still has to submit tax records as proof.
Lozares, on the other hand, probably thought that a Bible passage would have a better chance of getting Pacquiao's attention since the boxer has professed that his faith has been "renewed." Pacquiao has even said, "God told me to retire."
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