Pacquiao sued for child support

A 24-year-old former KTV bar receptionist filed criminal and civil charges against boxing idol Manny Pacquiao yesterday for allegedly cutting financial support to their love child and for threatening to kidnap the two-year-old boy.

In a six-page complaint, Joanna Rose Bacosa, of Quezon City, accused Pacquiao of violating Republic Act 9262, or the law on violence against women and children.

She was accompanied by her lawyer Victor Rodriguez at the office of Quezon City Assistant City Prosecutor Arthur Malabaguio.

"This is part of a series of criminal and civil cases we are filing against Pacquiao, depending on his response. We are simply fighting for the legal rights of the child," Rodriguez said.

The lawyer said his client was prompted to file a case after she allegedly began receiving threats from Pacquiao.

Rodriguez claimed there have also been attempts to muddle the issue by raising the issue of money, but his client is determined to pursue the case in court.

He denied his client was demanding P15 million from the boxer.

The STAR tried to get Pacquiao’s side yesterday at the Rembrandt Hotel, where he was billeted, but a man claiming to be his manager prevented reporters from talking to the boxer.

"No interviews. I told Manny that he must not talk to the media," the man said as he instructed waiters at the hotel restaurant to prevent reporters from getting near his client.

"Just talk to my lawyers," said Pacquiao, who was wearing dark glasses.

Bacosa, a former receptionist of the City Square KTV bar in Malate, Manila claimed their relationship began on April 18, 2003 when Pacquiao invited her to an early breakfast after work at 3 a.m.

She said Pacquiao was a regular guest at the bar, where he regularly played pool.

Instead of going to a restaurant, however, Pacquiao took her to the Winston Lodge in Pasay City for a one-night stand.

"Pagkatapos sinubukan niya akong abutan ng pera na hindi ko alam kung magkano, subalit hindi ko ito tinanggap dahil hindi naman ako bayarang babae," Bacosa said.

She said sexual encounters took place on April 22nd, 28th and the 29th, which was her birthday.

Bacosa later became pregnant, which she claimed was even welcomed by Pacquiao as "good news."

When Pacquiao arrived from the US in August of the same year, he gave Bacosa P20,000 for an apartment and another P300,000 as a Christmas gift and for the expenses in the delivery of their love child.

She gave birth to a boy on Jan. 2, 2004.

Three weeks later, Pacquiao visited her at her rented apartment unit in Malibay, Pasay where they again made love, Bacosa said.

She said that from time to time, Pacquiao would call her, but stopped giving financial assistance.

On Nov. 23, 2005, she got a call from Pacquiao telling her to proceed to Cebu because he wanted to see their child.

Bacosa borrowed money for a plane ticket and proceeded to a hotel in Cebu City, where he was billeted.

To her dismay, Pacquiao only gave her P3,000 as pocket money and did not even pay for the plane ticket.

That was the last time she saw Pacquiao.

However, last Jan. 31, an angry Pacquiao called her up asking why she was seeking the help of a lawyer. Bacosa claimed the boxer threatened to kidnap their son if she refuses to keep quiet.

"Ano ang gusto mo sustento? Mamaya ipakidnap ko yang bata para walang ebidensiya," Bacosa quoted Pacquiao in her affidavit.

Out of fear, the mother and child transferred to Quezon City.

In a radio interview, Pacquiao questioned the claims that he fathered the child, saying Bacosa had a boyfriend when he was seeing her in 2003.

He has asked Bacoso’s lawyer to submit the child for DNA testing.

Pacquiao admitted he had a one-night stand with Bacosa in 2004, saying he was drunk at the time.

"One time po na nagkakilala kami niyan, talagang umiinom pa ako noon. Lasing na lasing ako tapos sumama siya sa akin. May nangyari sa amin na isang beses lang tapos that time may boyfriend din siya," he told dzMM.

He said Bacosa met him after a month and told him that she was pregnant with his child.