MikeLigalig.com

By ROWENA JOY A. SANCHEZ
Manila Bulletin
Boxing champ and congressman Manny Pacquiao has sought the help of the National Bureau of Investigation (NBI) in investigating the alleged illegal use of his image by a foundation soliciting donations.

In response to the Saranggani representative’s grievance, the NBI arrested three members of the “Partners Against Malaria” foundation on Dec. 8. They were identified as Anthony Musso, a Puerto Rican; Edward Gutierrez, a US citizen; and Nora Llaniguez, a Filipino.

Pacquiao said in an interview aired on GMA’s “Unang Hirit” that the foundation, which claims that it has the cure for malaria and dengue, used his image and name in their websites (stampoutmalaria.org, partnersagainstmalaria.org, and buyactrx.org) without his knowledge and consent.

“Unfair naman sa akin na mag-post sila ng picture ko at manghingi ng donation nang hindi ko alam. Kawawa naman ‘yung mga tao na nagdo-donate sila sa akin na hindi ko alam,” GMA News quoted him as saying.

As stated in the foundation’s website, “For as little as $50.00 USD your donation will treat an unfortunate child or victim of malaria or dengue fever!” “Partners Against Malaria” was registered in Nevada, USA.

In one of their releases, the organization cited Pacquiao as one of their founding members, who “will be helping to produce the incredible new discovery that will change how Malaria and Dengue Fever are treated worldwide.”

It even announced that after Pacquiao’s fight with Antonio Margarito, the boxer-politician will be working with fellow founders in starting a campaign to promote awareness as well as to raise funds “to offset a severe cycle of malaria and dengue fever which is dramatically impacting his country.”

The piece also contained a photo of the eight-division world champion with the tagline, “Help Manny Pacquiao knockout malaria and dengue in the Philippines and the rest of the world.”

Pacquiao is miffed with the suspects’ accusation that his staff extorted P20 million from them.

“Ang sabi nila nanghihingi daw ang staff ko ng P20 million sa kanila para mai-set sila nang meeting sa akin. Nung inimbestigahan ko ang staff ko, hindi naman totoo,” said Pacquiao in the same GMA report.

The boxer-politician related that Musso, Gutierrez and Llaniguez had asked for his help in the midst of his training in Baguio a few months back. He referred them to his chief of staff, Atty. Jeng Gacal.

In the same GMA article, Gacal said that he declined the group’s request when he learned that they are "peddling" a particular medicine line.

"Ang plano ay mag-donate ng pera worldwide at the amount donated will be used for malaria and dengue, ‘yun produkto rin nila,” he said.

Gutierrez, in a separate interview also aired on “Unang Hirit,” maintained that their group has no ill intentions.

“We are here to help people, who are dying and suffering from malaria and from dengue,” he said.

Atty. Eric Nuqui, supervising agent of the NBI-NCR, said that the department will continue probing on the matter. If enough merits are produced, the suspects may be charged with estafa and swindling.


Linkback: https://tubagbohol.mikeligalig.com/index.php?topic=35360.0