MANILA, Philippines – Fresh off his victory over American fighter Timothy Bradley, Filipino boxing champ Manny Pacquiao paid a courtesy call to President Benigno Aquino III just days after he returned to the Philippines.

During Pacquiao’s visit to Malacañang on Monday, April 21, he and the President chatted for 40 minutes. There was no mention of the tax complaint Pacquiao is facing before the Bureau of Internal Revenue (BIR).

According to a statement released by Communications Secretary Herminio Coloma Jr on the meeting, the two talked about the weather in the United States – specifically in Los Angeles and Las Vegas, where Pacquiao trained and fought, respectively – and Pacquiao’s excitement about expecting his fifth child, who is scheduled to be born any day this week.

Pacquiao, who is also the representative of Sarangani province, also told Aquino his concerns about the delayed construction of farm-to-market roads in Sarangani “because of attacks made by lawless elements,” who had gone so far as to burn road construction equipment.

Coloma said Aquino vowed to “instruct law enforcement authorities to take action on this matter.”

Pacquiao also reportedly promised the President he would help in his campaign to raise awareness among overseas Filipino workers (OFW)’s regarding the MERS-Coronavirus.

After his visit to Malacañang, Pacquiao then paid a courtesy call to Manila Mayor Joseph Estrada, who congratulated him for his win. The two did not have a meeting according to Estrada’s camp.

In recent days, the administration has gotten flak from an annoyed public after tax chief Kim Henares reminded Pacquiao to adequately report his winnings from the fight immediately after his win. Some netizens criticized Henares as a spoilsport, but the Palace maintains Henares is only doing her job.

Pacquiao is estimated to have earned a minimum $20 million from the Bradley fight.

In 2013, the BIR, the government’s main tax collection agency, headed by Henares, alleged that Pacquiao owes $50 million in unpaid taxes in 2008 and 2009. The case is ongoing. – Rappler.com