Filipino boxing hero and congressman Manny Pacquiao, left, shakes the hands of Philippine President Benigno Aquino III during his courtesy call at the Malacanang Presidential Palace in Manila Philippines on Monday, April 21, 2014. Pacquiao recently defeated American Timothy Bradley during their WBO welterweight title bout in Las Vegas. (MNS photo)
MANILA (Mabuhay) – A week after beating Timothy Bradley Jr., boxing champion and Sarangani Rep. Emmanuel “Manny” Pacquiao paid a courtesy call on President Benigno Aquino III in Malacañang.
Pacquiao arrived at the Palace at around 2 pm and met with the President. The two then talked in private.
During a press conference on Monday, Presidential Communications Operations Office head Herminio “Sonny” Coloma Jr. also did not divulge any details about what the two may talk about but said the two were “friends.”
“Sa aking palagay ito ay pagkikita lamang ng dalawang magkaibigan at pagpapalitan ng paghanga at pasasalamat,” he said.
As for Pacquiao’s tax woes, Coloma said there has been a “friendly engagement” between the boxing champ and Internal Revenue chief Kim Jacinto-Henares.
“Nililinaw lang natin: There is no ill will or animosity that is present in all of these conversations,” he said.
The Sarangani lawmaker returned to the Philippines last Friday after winning the WBO welterweight title from Bradley by unanimous decision last Saturday (Sunday, PHL time). (MNS)