Kapamilya actor Daniel Padilla has been named one of Quezon City’s Top Taxpaying Media Personalities for 2024, dismissing speculations about his financial status.
Padilla, who was unable to attend the awarding ceremony due to his ongoing taping for an action-packed series in Baguio, was represented by his mother, Karla Estrada, who accepted the award on his behalf. The recognition was given by the Bureau of Internal Revenue (BIR) on March 5 in a ceremony held at Fisher Mall, Quezon Avenue.
Following the event, Padilla’s loyal supporters took to social media to counter persistent claims that the actor was struggling financially. Some detractors had previously alleged that Padilla was in deep debt following his highly publicized breakup with longtime girlfriend Kathryn Bernardo in late 2023.
Despite these rumors, Padilla’s recognition as a top taxpayer proves otherwise, as netizens pointed out that an individual in financial distress would not be among the highest taxpayers in the city.
The event almost became a KathNiel reunion moment when host Anjo Pertierra mistakenly announced that Daniel Padilla was present at the venue. However, the crowd’s excitement quickly turned into laughter when it was clarified that only his mother, Karla Estrada, was there to accept the award.
Meanwhile, Kathryn Bernardo, who was also recognized as a top taxpayer, was absent from the event but sent a video message of gratitude.
Alongside Daniel Padilla, several other top-earning media personalities were recognized for their tax contributions, including: Vice Ganda, Catriona Gray, Dingdong Dantes, Jennylyn Mercado, Dennis Trillo, Julia Barretto, Darren Espanto, Kim Chiu and Albert Martinez.
Since the KathNiel breakup, various rumors have surfaced regarding Padilla’s finances. Among them were reports that he had sold his luxury sports car, which later appeared in Boss Toyo’s ‘Pinoy Pawnstars’ vlog, and that his mother, Karla Estrada, had put their Quezon City home up for sale for ₱50 million.
Neither Padilla nor Estrada have addressed these rumors, but his recognition as a top taxpayer serves as strong proof that the claims about his financial difficulties are unfounded.
