The camp of Manny Pacquiao said no Philippine agency, not even Congress itself, can prevent the Filipino boxing icon from facing off with six-time world champion Oscar de la Hoya in their "Dream Match" welterweight superbout on December 6 in Las Vegas.

"Wala na pong jurisdiction ang anumang ahensya ng Pilipinas sa naturang laban, maski lisensya ni Manny...lisensysado siya sa Amerika, so wala pong magagawa ang [Games and Amusements Board] o Kongreso na pigilan ang laban," Pacquiao lawyer Franklin "Jeng" Gacal told ABS-CBN News' Dyan Castillejo in a telephone interview from the US.

Gacal was reacting to reports earlier this week that GAB chairman Eric Buhain had written the Nevada State Athletic Commission to prevent the clash from taking place.

Buhain has since denied the allegation, saying what he told congressmen during a recent budget hearing were his concerns about the disparity in height between Pacquiao, who is 5' 6 1/2", and de la Hoya (5'10 1/2").

Meanwhile, Philboxing.com quoted Gacal as saying that Cagayan de Oro City Rep. Rufus Rodriguez should not ride on Pacquiao's popularity.

Rodriguez has been vocal against the Pacquiao-de la Hoya fight, saying that it will "just be about money". He was also quoted as saying that Pacquiao has "no chance of winning."

"If Rodriguez plans to run for senator he should not try to ride on the popularity of Pacquiao," said Gacal, adding that Pacquiao was upset when he heard the bad publicity generated.

Gacal said Rodriguez’s suggestion that GAB strip Pacquiao of his license was "an unpatriotic act". He said this could derail plans for the boxer’s next fight, possibly in the Philippines.

Rodriguez had been saying that Pacquiao is clearly “outmatched.”

“I asked Chairman Buhain about this, he said that last July, when the bout was announced, that they already have a resolution of GAB that they will not allow Pacquiao to fight de la Hoya,” said Rodriguez.

Buhain clarifies Rodriguez’s claim

Buhain, meanwhile, clarified that GAB merely advised Pacquiao to rethink his decision to fight de la Hoya for his own sake.

Buhain added that GAB never sent a letter to the Nevada sports commission.

“I would like to correct that, hindi po kami sumulat sa Nevada na sabihin na ipatigil ang fight. Gusto ko lang po i-correct 'yun, 'di po namin ginawa 'yun,” said Buhain.

He also assured that GAB will not revoke Pacquiao’s license.

Buhain, however, admitted that GAB is concerned about Pacquiao’s safety since de la Hoya is clearly the bigger fighter among the two boxers.

De la Hoya last fought at 150 pounds against Steve Forbes, while Pacquiao fought at 135 pounds against David Diaz.

WBC exec believes Pacman has chance vs Oscar

World Boxing Council founding secretary-general Rudy Salud, meanwhile, believes Pacquiao has a good chance of beating de La Hoya, since other fighters succeeded even with a sudden jump in weight division.

Salud pointed out that Roy Jones Jr. moved up from light heavyweight where the maximum weight was 175 pounds to fight heavyweight champ John Ruiz. During the official weigh-in, Jones tipped the scales at 193 while Ruiz was 226 -- a difference of 33 pounds. Jones won.

Salud also went back to the time heavyweight champion Joe Louis and Italian Primo Carnera. Louis came in at 196 pounds and Carnera at 260.5. Louis was 6’ flat while Carnera, 6' 51/2”, which gave the giant a nine inch reach advantage. In the end, Louis scored a sixth round stoppage.

Salud said, “They can claim there is a disparity between the two fighters but they cannot even suggest it is a mismatch because it is not.”