Election lawyer Romulo Macalintal. INQUIRER FILE PHOTO
SARANGANI Representative Manny Pacquiao on Sunday denied he will use a mouthguard bearing the logo of the United Nationalist Alliance (UNA) when he fights Timothy Bradley in Las Vegas on April 9.
Pacquiao’s counsel, Atty. Romulo Macalintal, said he texted Pacquiao when he heard of the report.
“Hindi totoo yan, Atty. Mac,” Macalintal said quoting Pacquiao’s text message.
“I am sure Manny knows that it would not be in good taste and he would be courting a political disaster if he would use such gadget during the fight or even during his practice sessions with media coverage,” Macalintal said in a statement.
Macalintal said whoever made the mouthguard did not consult Pacquiao before making it.
“Hence, it could be assumed that it was just part of an artwork or creativity of its maker and was never intended to be a campaign propaganda material for Manny who is a senatorial candidate of UNA in the May 9, 2016 elections,” Macalintal said.
Macalintal said Pacquiao is busy with his training, dismissing the “highly politicized mouthguard matter.”