Call to ban Justin Bieber in Philippines

Manila: A group of lawmakers want Canadian pop singer Justin Bieber barred from the Philippines if he refuses to apologise to Manny Pacquiao over comments he made about the Filipino boxing icon.

Seven lawmakers from 255 member House said they want the 18-year-old singing sensation to ask forgiveness from Pacquiao in connection with comments he made following the December 9 defeat of the Filipino boxer to Mexican rival Juan Manuel Marquez in Las Vegas, Nevada.

If the Canadian pop singer refuses to apologise, the petitioners threatened to initiate a move to declare him “persona on grata” in the Philippines, which will bar him from holding performances in the country.

Bieber, following Pacquiao's defeat to Marquez had said posted an Instagram photo of the Filipino boxer lying flat on his back and motionless for several seconds after being knock unconscious by a vicious upper cut from the Mexican.

The Canadian singer poked fun on the potentially life threatening condition of the Filipino boxer by adding a blurb on the image with Disney animated character Simba telling Pacquiao “Dad wake up!”

The Filipino lawmakers said what Bieber did was infuriating considering that he had a number of fans in the country and was warmly received in the country when he visited in May this year.

“Mr. Justin Bieber should have been more circumspect and prudent in the expression of his views more particularly because just like Honorable Pacquiao, he is supposedly also being idolized by the youth,” said House Resolution 2962.

Pacquiao, who led a successful boxing career before his resounding boxing defeat to Marquez, to is a member of the chamber, representing the congressional district of Sarangani in Mindanao.

Prior to his May 10 concert in the country, Bieber had been at the receiving end of distasteful comments in the internet over his performance in Manila. Reports said the young singer had been under the weather when he staged a concert in the Philippines.