By Ronnie Nathanielsz

WORLD Boxing Council president Don Jose Sulaiman blasted Manny Pacquiao’s lawyer Franklin “Jeng” Gacal over the non-payment of an outstanding debt of $80,000 covering sanction fees for the Pacman’s rematch with Juan Manuel Marquez and his Dec. 6 fight with Oscar de la Hoya.

“I am extremely surprised for your lack of courtesy of not responding to my several communications, as well as the lack of compliance with the financial agreements, which were based on your offers and our acceptance, which has made me feel like a beggar,” Sulaiman wrote Gacal in a letter dated March 13.

Sulaiman was visibly upset because “The WBC has always expressed its pride of Manny Pacquiao to have become the best pound-for-pound fighter, with the opportunities and the worldwide prestige of the green and gold WBC belt, which he has also used with pride for many years.”

He noted that the outstanding balance of $80,000 “that you offered and we accepted for the last two fights, must be paid at the earliest convenience. The amount is little compared to the multi-millions that our hero has won in his career and the WBC’s championship accolade. I sincerely hope that this amount is immediately paid, to avoid the WBC looking for other instances of collection.”

A copy of the letter to Gacal was sent to Games and Amusements Board chairman Eric Buhain.

In an overseas telephone conversation with www.insidesports.ph, Standard Today and Viva Sports from his home in Mexico, Friday morning, Sulaiman said he holds Pacquiao as one of his dearest boxing heroes today.

“I personally believe the WBC provided the strongest opportunities for him to become what he is today. I am also very proud of the many belts that he has dedicated to his fans from the Philippines.”

Sulaiman warned that since Gacal hasn’t even had the courtesy of answering his letters, “the WBC will proceed with a lawsuit.”

The WBC president added: “I personally believe that Manny Pacquiao himself doesn’t know because if he knew that it hasn’t been paid, he would pay. I think there are people with him who are covering these things and ruining the respect and the image of the champion.”