MANILA: Philippine boxing legend Manny Pacquiao on Friday won a years-long court battle to avoid paying tens of millions of dollars in extra taxes after an appeals court dismissed the case against him.
Pacquiao and his wife Jinkee had been accused by the Bureau of Internal Revenue in 2012 of owing more than $37 million (2.2 billion pesos) in unpaid taxes for 2008 and 2009.
The 43-year-old previously insisted he had paid the taxes in the United States, so did not need to do so in the Philippines because the two countries have an agreement allowing their citizens to avoid double taxation.
Then president Benigno Aquino was waging a bruising campaign against tax evasion as part of a general crackdown on corruption.
Pacquiao, a former world champion and politician, became one of the highest-profile targets of the tax office’s sweep.
But the Court of Tax Appeals found the tax office had relied on “unverified news articles” to make its assessment.
In a 49-page judgment, the court said the “assessment for deficiency income tax is void for violation of petitioners’ right to due process and for lack of sufficient factual basis.”
The ruling was handed down on September 29 but apparently only released on Friday.
Pacquiao, who reportedly ranked among the country’s top individual taxpayers in 2008 and 2009, welcomed the decision.
“Since the start of my career, I have made sure to pay all my taxes because this helps our government,” he said in a statement.
“I thank the Lord that the truth has come out.”
AFP could not reach the tax office for comment. It is not known if it plans to appeal the decision.
Pacquiao, who retired from boxing last year for a tilt at the Philippines presidency, is deeply admired for hauling himself out of poverty to become one of the world’s greatest and wealthiest fighters.
But he has also earned plenty of detractors with his support for former president Rodrigo Duterte’s deadly drug war, homophobic comments and lack of education.
Pacquiao has been preparing for a charity match against martial arts YouTuber DK Yoo scheduled for December 10 in Seoul.
He ended his 26-year boxing career with a points defeat to Cuban Yordenis Ugas in August 2021 and, as well as being a former senator, made a failed bid earlier this year to be president of his country.
Pacquiao’s net worth was almost $54 million in 2020, according to Senate data.
Philippine court dismisses tax case against boxing legend Manny Pacquiao
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Philippine court dismisses tax case against boxing legend Manny Pacquiao
- Pacquiao and his wife Jinkee were accused in 2012 of owing more than $37 million in unpaid taxes for 2008 and 2009
Aryna Sabalenka powers into French Open fourth round
- The Belarusian dominated her opponent from the start and although she faced some brief resistance in the second set
The Belarusian dominated her opponent from the start and although she faced some brief resistance in the second set, she easily set up a meeting with 16th seed Amanda Anisimova of the United States.
“I am super happy with the win, Olga is a fighter and I knew it would be a fight. She played like a top 10 player; pretty soon she will be in the top 10,” said Sabalenka.
Sabalenka started in ruthless fashion, racing to a 5-0 lead but Danilovic avoided the bagel by winning the sixth game on serve, going on to pull a break back.
The resurgence was shortlived, however, as Sabalenka wrapped up the opening set with another break of serve.
Danilovic put up a decent fight in the second set but there was no comeback on the cards as Sabalenka broke for 5-3.
The three-time Grand Slam champion wrapped it up with an unreturnable serve on a half-empty Court Philippe Chatrier — a common occurrence on early matches at the French Open.
Driver charged with Liverpool soccer parade tragedy appears in court
- Prosecutors have charged him with dangerous driving and six serious offenses alleging grievous bodily harm
- The charges are related to two boys, two women and two men who were among the 79 people injured Monday during celebrations of Liverpool’s Premier League championship
LONDON: A driver charged with multiple counts of intentionally causing grievous bodily harm for ramming into a crowd of Liverpool soccer fans celebrating their team’s Premier League championship was ordered held in custody Friday at his first court appearance.
Paul Doyle, wearing a black suit, white shirt and gray tie, looked emotional as he spoke only to confirm his name, address and birth date in a hearing in Liverpool Magistrates’ Court. He did not enter a plea.
Doyle, 53, faces a charge of dangerous driving and six serious offenses alleging he caused or tried to cause grievous bodily harm. The charges carry a maximum sentence of life in prison if he is convicted.
The father of three bowed his head as the charges were read. The counts are related to the injuries of two boys, two women and two men who were among the 79 people injured Monday. The victims ranged in age from 9 to 78, police said. Seven people remained hospitalized Thursday.
District Judge Paul Healey put an order in place restricting the publication of victims’ names.
Doyle was ordered to appear later in the day in Liverpool Crown Court.
The city had been celebrating Liverpool’s record-tying 20th title when Doyle turned down a street full of fans and joy quickly turned to tragedy. Police said they believed Doyle got past a road block by following an ambulance that was trying to reach a possible heart attack victim.
Videos showed the car hit and toss a person wrapped in a red Liverpool flag into the air and then swerve into a sea of people packed on the side of the road.
At least four people, including a child, had to be freed from beneath the vehicle when it came to a halt.
The driver was believed to have acted alone and terrorism was not suspected, Merseyside Police said. They have not disclosed an alleged motive for the act.
Real Madrid sign Alexander-Arnold from Liverpool
- Real Madrid have signed defender Trent Alexander-Arnold from Liverpool on a deal until 2031, the Spanish giants said on Friday
MADRID: Real Madrid have signed defender Trent Alexander-Arnold from Liverpool on a deal until 2031, the Spanish giants said on Friday.
The 26-year-old England international’s contract at Anfield was drawing to an end but Madrid paid a fee to bring him in earlier so he can play in the Club World Cup.
Right-back Alexander-Arnold, who has just won the Premier League title with Liverpool, came through the academy of his boyhood club and won the Champions League in 2019.
He also won the Premier League in 2020 and 352 appearances for the club.
The defender joins former Liverpool midfielder Xabi Alonso at Real Madrid, with the Spaniard appointed as their new coach to replace Carlo Ancelotti.
Alexander-Arnold’s close connections to Liverpool meant that his announcement that he was leaving the club was viewed with disgust by some supporters and he was booed in the penultimate match of the season.
But after club figures including former manager Jurgen Klopp and Mohamed Salah urged fans to remember the contribution he has made to Liverpool’s success over the last six years, he was roundly cheered when he lifted the Premier League trophy at Anfield last Sunday.
The defender joins a Real Madrid side which failed to win a major trophy this season.
Alexander-Arnold has been criticized for his defensive concentration at times but brings supreme passing vision and attacking edge down the right flank.
Real Madrid have struggled at right-back this season with Dani Carvajal recovering from a long-term knee injury and winger Lucas Vazquez enduring a torrid time there out of position.
Alexander-Arnold could make his Real Madrid debut when they face Saudi Arabian side Al-Hilal in their opening Club World Cup match on June 18 in Miami.
Real Madrid have also signed Spanish center-back Dean Huijsen from Bournemouth as they look to bolster a back-line which was ravaged by injury this season.
De Bruyne is Manchester City’s ‘greatest player’ says club chairman as Guardiola prepares team for Club World Cup
- In Part 1 of his review of the 2024-2025 season, Khaldoon Al-Mubarak looks back on the challenges faced by the team and confirms his confidence that they will be back to winning ways
ABU DHABI: Manchester City chairman Khaldoon Al-Mubarak has provided his annual review of the season to the club’s official online channel. In Part 1 of the interview he discussed the challenges of the 2024-2025 campaign, the departure of a club legend and his trust in manager Pep Guardiola. Here are some of the highlights.
On City improving next season …
We will be back. This season is a season that’s now behind us. And we will take all the good things and the not-so-good things from this season and learn from it and improve from it and get better.
I can assure you, this club will do everything possible to come back to the standards that we know we all can achieve and that we know, we will achieve. If there’s one thing I’d like right now, it’s to turn that page from last season and just immediately start focusing on next season.
All the players, everyone I saw yesterday after the Fulham game, all the players, they’re excited, they’re excited about coming back. Nobody feels good about how we finished the season. They want to come back and they want to come back hungry. And I can see the hunger.
And that’s exactly why you see me so positive. We’re going to come back strong, with a lot of positivity.
On City’s summer transfer strategy …
We have clearly identified who exactly are the targets, in what positions, and we have our clear No.1 option, our clear No.2 option. And we’ll go about our business, and it will be very clear, very swift.
Our objective is to try to be ready with the new squad for the Club World Cup.
On Kevin De Bruyne …
In my view, he is the greatest player to play for this club. His accomplishments speak for themselves. His accomplishments for the club in terms of trophies — that tally, number of Premier Leagues, the Champions League, FA Cups, Community Shields, Carabao Cups. It’s an unbelievable tally, the highest of any player who has ever played for this club.
He's been a captain. He’s been a leader. He’s been a teammate. He’s been everything you would hope from your most important player.
Kevin really transcends this team and I’m so proud of what he has accomplished. It’s one of the best decisions we ever took – the day we took the decision to invest in Kevin and bring him from Wolfsburg. I remember some people thought we overpaid.
On Pep Guardiola …
One thing we have with Pep, which is so fundamental, is one word: trust.
We have trust, and it goes both ways. I think he trusts us. He trusts me. He trusts the organisation. He trusts the club, and we trust him.
And that trust is what, in the good times, allows you to keep winning. And in the tough times, that’s where that trust really shows up.
And we’ve gone through all these ups and downs, and we’ve always stood together as a team. And inevitably it’s always shown to be the foundation of our success.
Dubai Basketball keep title dreams alive with overtime win against seven-time champions
- Home team edges Partizan Mozzart Bet 100-95 at Coca-Cola Arena in ABA League semi-finals
DUBAI: Dubai Basketball edged out seven-time ABA League champions Partizan Mozzart Bet in Game 2 of the semi-finals — winning the pivotal clash 100-95 in the final five minutes of overtime to square the series.
Dubai welcomed Serbian powerhouse Partizan Mozzart Bet to Coca-Cola Arena on Thursday night after a shock loss in Belgrade in the first leg of the semi-final. Needing a win to keep their league ambitions alive, Dubai Basketball were set for what would be one of their best games this season.
In a stark contrast from the first game of the semis, Dubai Basketball kept Partizan on edge with unrelenting momentum and strong defensive tactics. Praising Dubai’s response, Partizan coach Zeljko Obradovic spoke about the intensity of playing Dubai at home.
“We knew they would try to be aggressive here (in Dubai), and they were,” he said.
Dubai’s physicality and determination were evident from the start of the first quarter. Holding a narrow three-point lead in the second quarter, the team gained confidence as they landed crucial three-pointers, pushing ahead into the second half. However, Partizan quickly retaliated, with American guard Carlik Jones and Belgian international Frank Ntilikina making an early impact and keeping the contest tight.
Leading by example for Dubai was captain and Man of the Match Klemen Prepelic. The Slovenian shooting guard has often been praised for his role in the debutant team, but his performance on Thursday night outshone his previous milestones for the team.
Prepelic, the night’s top scorer, contributed 30 points, three rebounds and one assist. Only one other Dubai Basketball member came close to these stats, with Nate Mason’s perfectly executed free throws in the last 14 seconds of regulation time leveling the score and forcing Partizan into overtime.
Praising the team’s resilience, Dubai Basketball head coach Jurica Golemac said: “I’m very proud. We didn’t surrender; we didn’t give up. You could see it in the players — the emotions in their eyes. We didn’t want the season to end, and that was obvious.”
With more than 7,000 fans in attendance, Dubai looked more confident than ever in the extra period. Spurred on by the home crowd, they secured the final points of the night and sealed a crucial win to force a deciding third game in Belgrade on Sunday.
“Our defence was unbelievable today,” Golemac added. “I had the feeling there were 10,000 people inside — breathing and playing the game with us. They wanted to succeed just like we did.”
Dubai Basketball now head to Serbia for the semi-final showdown, one step away from a place in the ABA League finals — marking an already historic debut season for the team with a second home win against one of Europe’s most decorated clubs.
