Pia Alonzo Wurtzbach brought home the Miss Universe crown – quite literally – last Saturday but it could bring her some problems with the Bureau of Internal Revenue, unless Congress and Malacañang do something about it. The Miss Universe crown valued at $300,000 is studded with diamonds, topaz, sapphires, and gold. She received it on top of her prizes as Miss Universe. For all her winnings, the United States government will be taxing her. The Philippine government will also have to collect its share of taxes – unless moves to grant her exemption succeed in Congress. Cagayan de Oro Rep. Rufus Rodriguez and his brother Abante Mindanao party-list Rep. Maximo Rodriguez Jr. have filed House Bill 6367 providing that all winnings, prizes, and other prerequisites given to Pia – who grew up in Cagayan de Oro – be exempted from all Philippine taxes. Speaker Feliciano Belmonte Jr. immediately expressed his [...]
