Pacquiao to file charges vs. ex-aide over claims with McGregor fight; Joson says boxer owes him millions

Senator Manny Pacquiao is set to file charges against former aide Jake Joson, who accused the boxing icon of claiming at least P165 million advance payment for a supposed boxing match against Conor McGregor.

Lawyer Nikki de Vega, the senator's legal counsel and spokesperson, bared that Pacquiao’s camp will file necessary criminal charges including cyberlibel and estafa against Joson for creating “fabricated claims” over the supposed match against McGregor in Las Vegas.

“Regarding sa claims niya, to be honest they are fabricated claims. P165 million na kanyang ina-advance daw na pera, those are baseless and false,” De Vega said in a press conference.

(Regarding his claims, to be honest those are fabricated. His claim of P165 million advance payment was baseless and false.)

“We are actually going to file necessary criminal case. Cyberlibel, estafa, syndicated estafa. Siguro hintayin natin d'on. Pag naifile na namin, makikita ninyo doon (Let's just wait for it. Once we have filed, you will see it there),” she added.

In June, Paradigm Sports Management filed a multi-million dollar lawsuit against Pacquiao for alleged breach of contract.

Joson's claims

Joson, in an interview with Sonshine Media Network International, said Pacquiao asked for his help for a cash advance.

He said through Paradigm Sports, they were able to arrange Pacquiao's supposed fight with McGregor in Las Vegas.

Apart from this arranged fight, Joson said they were also able to ask  $2 million from Paradigm Sports for the boxing legend.

"So kinausap namin ang Paradigm, para mapagbigyan. Naayos po namin, on record po 'yan. So nagbigay ang paradigm ng $2 million kay Senator MP as a cash advance since lalaban naman siya kung ano gusto ng Paradigm," he said.

(We talked to Paradigm for Pacquiao's request. We arranged it. It gave $2 million to Pacquiao as cash advance since he will fight whoever Paradigm will pick.)

But Joson said Pacquiao asked for additional $2 million from Paradigm Sports, which declined the request as it is "too much already."

With this, Joson said he and Arnold Vegafria, another Pacquiao ally, raised P65 million for the boxer.

After receiving the money, however, Pacquiao left them without paying them back.

“To cut the long story again, part three, nabigay namin ang pera. Nagkasanla-sanla po kami. Nakuha niya 'yung pera ng Paradigm, tinakbuhan po kami," he said.

(We were able to give the money, we pawned our properties just to raise the amount. He got the money from Paradigm and then he left us.)

Until now, he said Pacquiao has yet to reach out to them.

"Hindi kami ang tumakbo sa kanya, siya ang tumakbo sa amin. Kami kinuhanan niya ng pera.. Hanggang ngayon naghintay kami ng sagot. Sana man lang magreach out siya," said Joson.

(He ran away from us, he left us. He took the money. Until now, we are asking for an answer. We hope he will reach out to us.)

De Vega said the former aide was not part of the contract with Paradigm.

“Hindi po natin siya pwedeng matawag na naghahanap ng fight sa boxing ni Senator Manny. Meron po talagang mga tao si Senator Manny para d'on, professionally run,” the lawyer said.

(We can't say he is negotiating for a fight for Senator Manny's boxing career. Senator Manny really has people on it, it's professionally run.)

The lawyer said that the boxing icon called out his former aide for some irregularities allegedly committed in the past.

“Pag mali kay kay Senator Manny, mali iyon. Kahit matagal ka nang kakilala. Kung mali, mayroong katiwalian, may hindi magandang ginagawa, talagang naninindigan si Senator Manny sa tama,” she added.

(If it's wrong for Senator Manny, it's wrong. Even if you have known each other for a long time. If it is wrong, there is corruption, there is something wrong, Senator Manny really stands for what is right.)

De Vera, however, did not disclose the argument between Pacquiao and Joson.

“The others po, meron po kaming pineprepare na mga estafa, syndicated estafa and other criminal cases. 'Yan po hindi ko pa po pwede i-disclose kasi po ginagawa pa po namin iyon para po sa mga evidential matters,” she added.

(The others, we are preparing estafa, syndicated estafa, and other criminal cases. I can't disclose  the details yet because we are still gathering evidence.)

Sought for comment, Joson responded that he is also planning to file cases against the senator.

“Binigyan po nila ako ng idea na magfile ng eksakto ganyan tanggal lang 'yung cyberlibel at i-todo natin yung estafa at syndicated estafa vs. Senator Manny Pacquiao at marami pa pong kasama din na hindi nababalik at nabayaran ni Pacquiao,” Joson said in a viber message to the reporters.

(They gave me an idea to file the same exact charges, except for the cyberlibel and let's focus on estafa and syndicated estafa against Senator Manny Pacquiao. There are many others like me who have yet to receive payment from Pacquiao.)

The former aide further said that he is also ready for a debate with the boxing icon.

“Call ako dyan sa debate vs. Pacquiao magharap kami sa programa ni Pastor Quiboloy para mapag-usapan ang issue! Kaso matagal pa ‘yan pag nagkaso siya double 'yung ikakaso ko sa kanya,” Joson added.

(I’m ready for a debate vs. Pacquiao. We can do it in Pastor Quiboloy's program to discuss the issue!  If he will file a case against me, I will sue him twice over.)

Talks of a fight between Pacquiao and McGregor erupted last year when both camps confirmed that they are in touch for a mega showdown.

McGregor also revealed last January 25 that negotiations with the Pacquiao camp is “intensifying” as they aim to put up the event this year.—Richa Noriega and Consuelo Marquez/AOL, GMA News