MANILA — Sarangani Rep. Manny “Pacman” Pacquiao disclosed on Monday the inclusion in the contract that a fine of USD5 million be imposed as fine for using illegal substance in his fight with Floyd Mayweather.
Pacquiao said his proposal was borne after consistent allegations of Mayweather that he was using performance-enhancing drugs in his previous fight.
“Hindi problema iyung illegal drugs. In fact sa kasunduan ako ang nag-suggest na magmulta ng five million dollars kapag nag-positive sa drugs. Ako ang nagpa-insert noon dahil kailangan iyun, [Illegal drugs is not a problem. In fact, I was the one who lobbied to insert the provision of US $5-million fine if found positive of using illegal drugs,]” Pacquiao told reporters after visiting the media center of the House of Representatives.
Like what he said in the previous interviews, Pacquiao said his fight with Mayweather is almost done.
“Almost done deal na. Malapit nang matapos ang negosasyon at hintayin nating sila ang mag-announce ng fight. Nag-agree na tayo sa terms and conditions (It’s almost a done deal. We’re nearing the end of the negotiation and we’re just waiting for them [Mayweather’s camp] to announce the fight. We already agreed on the terms and conditions),” Pacquiao told House reporters.
“Announcement na lamang nila, wala tayong karapatan. Sila ang magsasabi niyan. Agree na tayo sa lahat ng demands (It’s their announcement, we don’t have the right [to announce it for them]. They will announce it themselves. We already agreed to all of their demands),” Pacquiao added.
The eight-division champion refused to make a fearless forecast when asked about the outcome of the fight.
“Mahirap magsabi ng tapos ngayon, napakagandang laban (We can’t really speak with finality. It’s going to be a great fight),” Pacquiao stressed.
When asked about his absenteeism, Pacquiao said “marami naman akong nagawa sa aking distrito (I have done many things for my district).”
Aside from lawmaking and boxing, Pacquiao is also the playing-coach of KIA Carnival in the Philippine Basketball Association (PBA).
Of 70 sessions of the House of Representatives fromJanuary 20 to Dec. 17 last year, records bared that Pacquiao and Negros Occidental Rep. Julio Ledesma IV registered the lowest attendance after attending only seven session days while former President and now Pampanga Rep. Gloria Macapagal-Arroyo and Lanao del Norte Rep. Abdullah Dimaporo posted no attendance.
Mrs. Arroyo is currently detained at the Veterans Memorial Medical Center (VMMC) in Quezon City since November 2012 following her plunder case before the Sandiganbayan.
Dimaporo who is facing malversation case has been under hospital arrest since 2013.
Only 65 lawmakers, including Speaker Feliciano Belmonte Jr., have recorded perfect attendance in the 70 sessions.