Canadian pop star Justin Bieber should publicly apologize to Sarangani Representative Manny Pacquiao for mocking the Filipino boxer on photo-sharing application, Instagram, following the latter's knockout loss recently to his Mexican archrival, lawmakers said Monday.
Representatives Carol Jayne Lopez (Yacap party-list), Seth Jalosjos (Zamboanga del Norte), Amado Bagatsing (Manila), Antonio Alvarez (Palawan), Mark Aeron Sambar (PBA party-list), Alfredo Garbin Jr. (Ako Bicol), and Isidro Lico (Ating Koop party-list) filed House Resolution 2962 to demand public apology from Bieber.
"Mr. Bieber should have known that the Hon. Pacquiao has reached his stature as such as a result of sheer hardwork, determination, and firm belief in God, and despite such stature best exemplifies humility and grace even despite defeat," the lawmakers said.
Should he refuse to apologize, Bieber should be declared persona non grata in the Philippines, the lawmakers said.
"Should he refuse to do so, Mr. Justin Bieber be declared persona non grata and thus should not be allowed to enter the country at any time in the future," the resolution stated.
Pacquiao was knocked out by Mexican boxer Juan Manuel Marquez in the sixth round of their fourth encounter in Las Vegas, Nevada, last December 9 (Manila time). An overhand right from Marquez sent the Filipino pound-for-pound king face first to the canvas.
In his Instagram account, Bieber posted a few memes of Pacquiao after Marquez had knocked him out.
One picture shows a photoshopped image of the Disney character Simba leaning over Pacquiao and captioned "Dad wake up." Another photo shows Pacquiao's body before hitting the floor alongside the late singer Michael Jackson with the caption "Pacquiao doing the lean with MJ. Classic moment."
Bieber is a fan of American boxer Floyd Mayweather, Jr., also a Pacquiao critic.
"He has nothing to gain fighting Pacquiao. Floyd has never in his professional career lost a fight and Pacquiao lost his two fights," Bieber said.
"As his colleagues in this august body, it is incumbent upon us to demand an apology from Mr. Justin Bieber lest, we declare him persona non grata in this country," the resolution read.
The Canadian singer has staged a concert in the Philippines once in May of this year.
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