Manny Pacquiao ‘balato’ Facebook posts are fake, senator confirms

By: Kate Matriano - @KMatrianoINQ

INQUIRER.net / 02:04 PM July 18, 2018

Image: Instagram/@mannypacquiao

Senator Manny “Pacman” Pacquiao issued a statement stating that the circulating Facebook posts saying he is giving away “balato” are not true.

“Nakarating sa aking kaalaman na may mga kumakalat na balita sa social media na ako ay mamimigay ng mga premyo bilang balato dahil sa aking pagkaka panalo. Nais ko pong ipaalam sa lahat na walang katotohanan ang mga ito,” Pacquiao told GMA Network yesterday, July 17.

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(It has come to my knowledge that there are people who are spreading news on social media that I am giving away prizes as a form of “balato” for my win [against Argentinian Lucas Matthysse]. I would like to inform everyone that there is no truth in that.)

He asked people not to believe the false information and not to be fooled by misleading news.

Pacquiao’s statement was issued after posts made by Facebook pages bearing his name have gone viral, fooling netizens into thinking that the senator has been giving away cash, vehicles and house-and-lots to lucky social media users. These Facebook pages encourage unsuspecting netizens to like and subscribe to their Facebook pages, share the post bearing Pacquiao’s “balato” offer, and comment the word “Congrats” on the said post.

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Image: Screengrab from Facebook/Senator Manny Pacquiao

Image: Screengrab from Facebook/Sen. Manny Pacman Pacquiao

Image: Screengrab from Facebook/Sen. Manny Pacquiao

Aside from Pacquiao’s fake Facebook pages, there are also fake Facebook pages of his wife, Jinkee Pacquiao, telling netizens they are giving away “balato” for Pacquiao’s recent win.

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