CEBU, Philippines — Filipino Olympic boxer Eumir Felix Marcial has recently consulted topnotch lawyer and sportsman Clint Aranas to help him chart a better future in his fistic career particularly on tax and legal matters.
Aranas, former Government Service Insurance System (GSIS) president and ex-deputy commissioner for legal affair of the Bureau of Internal Revenue (BIR), is the current president of World Archery Philippines.
The 24-year-old Marcial said he made the move because he wants to avoid the plight of some boxing champions who tailspun into poverty after rising to fame and popularity.
“Marami na po kasi ako nabalitaan, nabasa na mga stories ng mga professional boxing champions na sumikat, yumaman pero sa huli halos ubos ang pera nila. Madalas iisa ang dahilan, nagkaproblema sa taxes nila,” said Marcial in a statement.
“Yun lang naman ang gusto ko iwasan at mapag-aralan kung paano ang taxation kapag nag-professional na po ako. Habang maaga, maging pamilyar na ako para walang hassles sa mga obligasyon ko sa tax.”
Marcial, one of the brightest hopes to win the country’s first ever Olympic gold medal, said Aranas is the man he’s looking for because aside from his over two decades of experience in taxation, he has a soft heart for the athletes being a National Sports Association (NSA) head.
“Recommended po si Atty. Clint at alam ko mas maiintindihan niya kalagayan ko kasi NSA leader po siya kaya may puso talaga para sa mga atleta na tulad ko,” said Marcial.
“Mas nagkaroon po ako ng confidence na magiging successful ako hindi lang as boxer kungdi as someone na magkakaroon ng business dealings dahil may isang lawyer po ako na makakasama at mapapagkatiwalaan,” he added.
Lately, Marcial received various offers, the one coming from the New York-based Shelly Finkel, to turn pro but for now he won’t sign any deals yet.
Marcial promised that he will honor his commitment to fight for the flag and country first at the 2020 Tokyo Olympics next year before stepping into the pro ranks. EBV