By Rey E. Requejo
SARANGANI Rep. Manny Pacquiao is more than qualified to run for the Senate than most politicians despite his absenteeism in the House of Representatives, Puwersa ng Bayaning Atleta party-list candidate Mark Sambar said Friday.
“I can tell you right now that Congressman Pacquiao has more projects than most politicians, and many of his projects came from his personal funds and not from taxpayers’ money,” Sambar said.
“Also, don’t forget the pride and glory he brought to our nation as a boxing legend.”
Sambar made his statement even as Pacquiao and his wife Jinkee asked the Supreme Court to permanently restrain the Bureau of Internal Revenue from garnishing his assets to pay more than P3 billion in taxes that he allegedly owes the government.
The Pacquiaos also asked the high court to set aside the Court of Tax Appeals’ order requiring him to deposit P3.2 billion in cash bond or P4.9 billion in surety bond to stop dunning him over his alleged deficient tax payments.
Sambar said he suspected that the petition filed against Pacquiao was part of the black propaganda intended to derail his run for the Senate.
“The petition is suspect. How can a Makati resident allege that Manny Pacquiao did not adequately represent Sarangani?” Sambar said.
“There is nothing in our election laws or even in our Constitution that prevents Manny Pacquiao from seeking a Senate seat. Just let the people decide if Manny deserves the position or not. Besides, I think that he is sincere enough when he said that he will retire from boxing and focus on his job as a public servant.”
Another PBA party-list candidate, Koko Nograles, said there was no question that Pacquaio’s agenda in running for the Senate is due to his genuine desire to help the people and give back to the public the many blessings that he achieved as an international boxing superstar.