By Ronnie Nathanielsz
World Boxing Council president Don Jose Sulaiman has blasted Manny Pacquiao’s lawyer, Atty Franklin “Jeng” Gacal over the non-payment of an outstanding debt of $80,000 covering sanction fees due on the Pacquiao rematch against Juan Manuel Marquez and the December 6 fight with Oscar De La Hoya.
In a letter dated March 13, Sulaiman told Gacal he was “ extremely surprised for your lack of courtesy of not responding to my several communications, as well as the lack of compliance with the financial agreements, which were based on your offers and our acceptance, which has made me feel like a beggar.”
Sulaiman was visibly upset because he said “ the WBC has always expressed its pride of Manny Pacquiao to have become the best pound per pound fighter, with the opportunities and the worldwide prestige of the green and gold WBC belt, which he has also used with pride for many years.”
Sulaiman noted that the outstanding balance of $80,000 “ that you offered and we accepted for the last two fights, must be paid at the earliest convenience. The amount is little compared to the multi millions that our hero has won in his career and the WCB’s championship accolade .I sincerely hope that this amount is immediately paid, to avoid the WBC looking for other instances of collection.”
A copy of the letter to Gacal was sent to Games and Amusements Board chairman Eric Buhain.
In an overseas telephone conversation with BoxingScene.com, insidesports.ph, Standard Today and Viva Sports from his home in Mexico, Friday morning, Sulaiman said “ I hold Manny Pacquiao as one of my dearest boxing heroes today and I personally believe the WBC provided the strongest opportunities for him to become what he is today. I am also very proud of the many belts that he has dedicated to his fans from the Philippines.”
Sulaiman warned that since Gacal hasn’t even had the courtesy of answering his letters, "the WBC will proceed with a lawsuit.”
The WBC president said “I personally believe that Manny Pacquiao himself doesn’t know because if he knew that it hasn’t been paid, he would pay. Don Jose added, “ I think there are people with him who are covering these things and ruining the respect and the image of the champion.”
