MANILA, Philippines — Boxing champion turned politician Manny Pacquiao on Wednesday admitted that he did join the livestream chat of a 22-year-old social media personality.
The senator however denied malice in joining the live chat of Youtube and Instagram celeb Arzaylea Rodriguez.
“Lahat puwede makipag-usap sa akin live. Wala namang malisya doon,” Pacquiao said in a recorded ambush interview.
“In fact, ‘yun nga lang ‘yun. Pagkatapos noon, wala na,” he added.
Pacquiao made the reaction after some netizens expressed malice over his comments during the livestream of Rodriguez on her Instagram account. Pacquiao commented “Hello” and asked the young lady where is she from.
The screenshot of Pacquiao’s official account commenting on Rodriguez’s live chat circulated online and sparked criticisms that he is hitting on the young woman.
SENATOR MANNY PACQUIAO COMMENTED ON ARZAYLEA'S IG LIVE HAHAHAHAHAHA LMFAOOOOO LEGIT NA LEGIT pic.twitter.com/fOa3kvjYXF
— psyche (@namelessaizel) September 23, 2017
when manny pacquiao commented on @Arzaylea's ig yari ka kay jinky!!!
— tmb (@jadexhemmo_) September 23, 2017
cttopic.twitter.com/AZPiwLaq6f
Pacquiao hitting on Arzaylea wth didn't see that one coming woah
— Rai (@raibuanxx) September 25, 2017
The senator explained that Rodriguez mentioned him in the live video so he responded with a “Hello.”
Rodriguez recently made it to Hollywood news after she broke up with punk rock group 5SOS member Luke Hemmings. According to Dailymail UK, the two met at a party thrown by Kylie Jenner in honor of her sister Kendall's 18th birthday in August 2015.