QUEZON City, Philippines (January 22) – After forty-two years the crown was finally redeemed. Miss Universe Pia Wurtzbach bravely stood to represent the Philippines last December 20, 2015 with 79 other contestant.
Her winnings include $300,000 in cash, a scholarship, a year-long salary, a luxurious accommodation in New York City during her reign, maintenance in hair, skin, health and nutrition, shoe and wardrobe sponsorship, wardrobe and styling by the official Miss Universe Organization fashion stylist, a free access to New York City events, an extensive travel by sponsors and charitable partners and a tiara designed by Diamonds International Corporation.
The issue is that whether our Ms. Universe Philippines would be taxed or not.
Cagayan De Oro representative Rep. Rufus Rodriguez insists an exemption to Ms. Pia Wurtzbach for paying tax. “She has given honor to the Philippines and our city. One way we could honor her is to exempt her income from the pageant from taxes,” the congressman said.
We could honor Ms. Pia Wurtzbach in other way by giving her recognition. Filipinos will never forget how humble and brave she stood up to represent the country. Her title, like all other Miss Universe we had will never be forgotten. She is part of our history.
There is no exemption to the rule. Like all other taxpayers she should be an example to Filipinos by doing her responsibility for her county. By doing this, she can prove that she has the capacity to handle bigger, more important and more significant responsibility as a Miss Universe.
According to the Tax Code of the Philippines, under section 32, cash and other prizes are exempted from taxation if the awards are in recognition of religious, scientific, artistic, educational and literary achievement. Tax lawyer Jan Paulo Diῆo explained that her winning could be recognized as artistic, but under the law, she should have joined the contest involuntarily and there should be no responsibility after winning.
Burea of Internal Revenue Commisioner Kim Henares pointed in an interview. “Wala kaming karapatan, wala kaming poder, na magbigay ng tax exemption maliban nalang kung ano ang sinasabi ng batas. Pantay-pantay and ating pagaapply dyan. Kung ano ang piso ni Juan, piso din dapat ni Maria so dapat ang pagbubuwis pareho”.
If lawmakers seek reasons to give an exemption to Ms. Pia Wurztbach then they should also seek reasons to exempt a laborer with a minimum wage, feeding three mouths at a time, and sending his children to school.
References;
http://www.philstar.com/radar/2015/12/23/1535668/whats-store-pia-wurtzbach-after-winning-miss-universe
http://www.gmanetwork.com/news/story/549555/news/nation/solon-seeks-tax-exemption-for-pia-wurtzbach-s-miss-universe-earnings
http://www.gmanetwork.com/news/story/551738/lifestyle/bir-reminds-pia-wurtzbach-on-homecoming-pay-the-right-taxes
http://www.mb.com.ph/bir-will-tax-pias-winnings-as-miss-u/
(written by Karen Llacuna, edited by Jay Paul Carlos, additional research by Vince Alvin Villarin)