World Boxing Council International Super Featherweight Champion, Manny "Pacman" Pacquiao, paid a surprise to Bacolod City yesterday to visit friends and look into a potential business investment in the city.

Pacquiao said he is investing in Bacolod because he is confident about its business climate and Mayor Evelio Leonardia is his friend.

Pacquiao told the DAILY STAR last night that he may invest in ShoeMart when it opens at the reclaimed area in Bacolod City and wants to see the site.

He, however, said he did not want to reveal yet what kind of business he is investing in.

SM hopes to open its Bacolod branch in Bacolod City during the MassKara Festival in October.

Leonardia, meanwhile, said that Pacquiao's investment in the city will be a big boost to the image of Bacolod as an investment center because, even in the United States, celebrities are factors in investment promotions.

SM vice president for operations Annie Garcia had earlier also said their firm is investing in Bacolod because they have confidence in the local business climate and its leadership, he added.

Meanwhile, Pacquiao said, "I am glad to be back in Bacolod and I thank the people here who rooted and prayed for me in my last fight against Erik Morales in Las Vegas in January."

Yesterday, Pacquiao also confirmed that he had paid his income tax before the April 17 deadline but did not reveal details of the amount that is believed to be sizable.

Pacquiao has earned millions of dollars from his fights abroad, and millions of pesos locally from numerous advertising endorsements. He cited security reasons for refusing to reveal his total earnings last year.

On Monday he joined the BIR in calling on taxpayers not to wait for the deadline to file their income tax returns.

Leonardia, who welcomed Pacquiao to Bacolod, said he was informed of his visit by Pacman's manager, Wakee Salud, shortly before the champion arrived in Bacolod for the "surprise" visit.

Pacquiao was adopted as a son of Bacolod during the 26th Charter Day Anniversary of the city on Oct. 18, 2005.*CPG

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