“Mastercard lang meron ako. Mastercard lang ang hawak ko. Hindi ‘yun totoo na may green card ako,” Pacquiao said in a chance interview Tuesday, a day after journalist and blogger Raissa Robles raised the possibility that the world reknowned boxer may be a green card holder.
Pacquiao said he only carries a P1 visa that allows him to professionally fight in the United States. “Meron akong P1, para pwede kang lumaban, kumita doon,” he said.
He added that he has no desire to leave the Philippines, and has in fact rejected his children’s request to study in the US.
“Ayaw ko nga pag-aralin mga anak ko sa America,” Pacquiao said. “Yung mga anak ko nga gusto mag-aral sa America, hindi ko pinayagan.”
God bless them
But while exasperated over the issue of his supposed immigrant status, Pacquiao said he wishes no ill over those who have insinuated that he is a green card holder.
“Ipasadiyos ko na lang. May Panginoon naman tayo. We have no right to revenge. Ang Panginoon lang ang may karapatan,” he said.
The issue about Pacquiao applying to be a US immigrant erupted days after his tax woes played out in the media.
Robles, in her blog, said she was tipped off by a commenter that Pacquiao was mentioned as a “successful (US) immigrant” on the website of the California Wilmer & O’Reilly immigration law firm.
But sought for comment, Richard Wilner, the founding partner of the law firm, neither confirmed nor denied that Pacquiao was their client. He supposedly only said that the article mentioning Pacquiao was “inaccurate.”
Resolution
On Tuesday, Pacquiao attended session for the first time since his victory over Brandon Rios in Macau last November 24. He received a resolution commending his achievement
“Masaya ako dahil binigyan nila akong parangal dito sa House at salamat sa mga nagbigay suporta sa akin dito sa House. Masaya ako,” he said.
When asked about his reported plans to shift to the minority, Pacman shrugged off the issue, saying he maintains friendships with both minority and majority lawmakers in the chamber.
“Pareho naman, minority, majority, kaibigan ko naman silang lahat. Kaibigan ko naman silang lahat so wala namang problema,” Pacquiao said. — KBK, GMA News
