MANILA, Philippines – Spoiler or friendly reminder?

Malacañang on Monday, April 14, sided with Internal Revenue chief Kim Henares, who is being criticized as a “spoilsport” after reminding world champion boxer Manny Pacquiao to honestly report his latest earnings right after his victory against American Timothy Bradley.

Deputy presidential spokesperson Abigail Valte defended Henares, who she said has been working with Pacquiao to sort out his tax liabilities from 2008-2009.

“We don’t quite think that Commissioner Henares intends to be any way disrespectful, or that her manner in any way tends to lessen the honor that Manny Pacquiao has brought to the country,” Valte said.

“We don’t mean to make it hard for Congressman Pacquiao,” she added, referring to the fighter who is also the representative of Sarangani province.

Valte said  Henares is “very focused on her job and on her mandate.”

“I don’t quite think that she intends to be offensive. She’s just doing her job,” she said.

On Saturday, April 12 (Sunday Manila time), Pacquiao avenged his controversial 2012 loss to Bradley with a dominant decision victory to regain the WBO welterweight title.

After the fight, Henares was quoted as saying she wished Pacquiao learned his lesson in 2008 and 2009 when he allegedly failed to pay the right taxes, and reminded him to honestly report his income this time around.

Pacquiao is estimated to earn a minimum $20 million from the Bradley fight.

While Filipinos around the world celebrated his win, memes also started to surface on social media, implying Pacquiao’s next fight is against Henares.

Valte dismissed the memes as having been made “in the spirit of fun.”

“We know how we can find humor in every situation and perhaps, you know, this is an example of that,” she said.

In 2013, the Bureau of Internal Revenue (BIR), the government’s main collection agency headed by Henares, alleged that Pacquiao owes $50 million in unpaid taxes in 2008 and 2009. The case is ongoing. – Rappler.com