The famous world boxing champion and Sarangani province Lone District Representative Emmanuel “Manny” Pacquiao has asked the assistance of the city government of Zamboanga, through his friend and “compadre” District 2 Councilor Rommel Agan, to inform the people of Zamboanga that he has no knowledge of an alleged lending firm bringing the name of his congressional office and his own created foundation.

In a letter addressed to Councilor Agan dated September 7, 2010, Pacquiao denied any participation in the so-called lending firm and has asked local officials here to help in disseminating his disclaimer in order to protect the constituents and his boxing fans from unscrupulous individuals “who may just be making a few fast bucks at the expense of our innocent kababayans.”

It was Councilor Agan who informed “Pacman” about the massive recruitment of prospective borrowers to apply for a loan after payment of the required membership fee under a lending program supposedly initiated by his (Pacquiao) congressional office or foundation.

Pacquiao is in the United States now for the promotional tour of his upcoming fight this November against a Mexican world class boxer Antonio Margarito.

Aside from being a compadre, Councilor Agan is one of Pacquiao’s lawyers.

Agan said that many of his supporters in the different barangays have reported to him about the activties of some enterprising individuals and has immediately relayed the matter to Pacquiao through text messages.

“To set the record straight, allow me to clarify that neither my congressional office nor my foundation has initiated any lending program in Zamboanag City,” Pacquiao said in his letter which was read by Agan during yesterday’s regular Council session.

Copies of Pacquiao’s letter were reproduced yesterday and were distributed to the different media outfits and to the 98 barangays in the city.