Pacquiao “Returns” To The Site of his First Wins

By Rey Danseco

Should Manny Pacquiao want to re-live his early ring successes, he might just lease an office for his planned boxing promotions outfit at a building overlooking the city hall of Mandaluyong, where he won his first major championship eight years ago.

Jimmy Narvaez, whom Pacquiao has tapped as his company’s official matchmaker, said Tuesday that he suggested to that Pacquiao rent a 50-square-meter office for the promotions firm.

Narvaez said he reserved two rooms in the commercial building owned by a former councilor of Mandaluyong City (a city within Metro Manila).

"The office in Mandaluyong looks good. I’m sure Manny will love it and I hope he approves to house his outfit there," Narvaez said.

Early in his career, Pacquiao fought seven times in Mandaluyong City. The last time was when he won the vacant Oriental and Pacific Boxing Federation flyweight title by knocking out Chokchai Chockvivat of Thailand in the fifth round on June 26, 1997.

Pacquiao, whose latest project is a joint venture with veteran Cebuano boxing manager Rex "Wakee" Salud, reputedly will release an initial budget for the company that is modeled after Golden Boy Promotions, the company run by former world champion Oscar De La Hoya.

According to a source, Pacquiao wants to stage his first boxing event next month in Malabon City, where his first manager, Polding Correa, lives.

Pacquiao and Mayor Tito Oreta of Malabon City will split the budget for the boxing event, the source said.

But the event might be put on hold since "PacMan" plans to fly to the United States on August 1 in order to begin training for his tune-up fight against Mexican Hector Velasquez on September 10 at the Staples Center in Los Angeles, California.

But before he leaves, Pacquiao is also busy in shooting his latest movie Lisensiyadong Kamao (Licensed Fists) under director Tony Bernal and Violett Films. The casts in the movie include sexy stars Aubrey Miles and Juliana Palermo, veteran actor Eddie Garcia, and Daria Ramirez.

Pacquiao has still a problem with the Bureau of Internal Revenue (BIR) , he still has remaining tax obligations amounting to millions from his 42 fights since 1995.

Pacquiao settled only his tax debts for the years 2003 and 2004, according to Jose Eric Furia, the chief revenue district officer in Pacquio’s hometown of General Santos City.

But Pacquiao once pointed the blamed on his estranged business manager Rod Nazario, the husband of Justice Minita Nazario who fights corruption in the Philippines, for his failure to pay his tax liabilities. He said went on the record and said that he had no knowledge about tax debts.

“Nazario never really explained this to me so I really didn't know I also had obligation from my other earnings," quoted Pacquiao as saying in Sunstar report.

However, Pacquiao also said he has no intention to run since he paid $565,000 in taxes to the US Internal Revenue System after his shocking loss to Erik Morales this past May in Las Vegas.