Pacquiao: Don’t pay anything but help build your house

GLAN, Sarangani (July 31, 2012) – Homeless villagers in barangay Tango cheered wildly as Congressman Manny Pacquiao, who had spent part of his childhood here, announced that beneficiaries of his housing project don’t have to pay anything except that they must help build their own houses.

GLAN, Sarangani (July 31, 2012) - Congressman Manny Pacquiao and Charlito Ayco, Habitat for Humanity CEO, lead the laying of capsule as witnessed by Governor Migs Dominguez and Mayor Victor James Yap during the ground breaking of the congressman’s housing project in partnership with Habitat Tuesday, July 31, in Purok 4, barangay Tango. 195 housing units will be constructed for homeless constituents in the barangay. For more news and updates, please visit the Province of Sarangani . (Cocoy Sexcion/SARANGANI INFORMATION OFFICE)

The congressman was introduced as a former resident of Tango, having been schooled at Tango Elementary School and has scores of relatives and close friends in the village, including the barangay captain.

“Your problem to pay P250 a month? You don’t have to pay anymore. Just help build your house here,” Pacquiao told a crowd of housing beneficiaries and residents who waited for him in the drizzling high noon.

His announcement was met by a long, loud cheering and applause by the community of Blaan and Cebuano families.

“Just help Habitat for Humanity in building your own house,” he repeated.

“However when you already own the lot, don’t sell it

When you sell it, where will you live? You will be squatters again,” the congressman reminded them.

“Don’t forget that this housing project, I bought this with my bout with Margarito. In my fight with Margarito, I was hit here,” Pacquaio said jokingly, pointing at his right side.

In November 14, 2010, Pacquiao proved beyond a doubt in his super welterweight championship fight against Antonio Margarito – “that size doesn't matter as much as speed and quickness. And heart,” the USA TODAY reported.

“Pacquiao, 17 pounds lighter than Margarito at the opening bell, had too much of everything for Margarito and won going away at Cowboys Stadium before a raucous crowd of 41,734 and extended his record eight different weight divisions in which he has won world championships. Nobody else has more than six,” USA TODAY added.

“Congressman Pacquiao you have touched 195 lives today, maraming salamat,” said Gov. Migs Dominguez.

The governor also said that in Glan, more than 25 hectares of resettlement sites have been established with Mayor Victor James Yap.

Mayor Yap said the construction of 195 houses would start soon here.

Barangay Captain Edwin Pacaldo said the relocation site would be called Pacman-Tata Yap Village.

During the groundbreaking ceremony, Pacaldo disclosed that “our congressman grew up here in our barangay.”

Pacaldo said Pacquiao came back to help homeless constituents own a decent house and lot.

The village chief said Habitat would build 200 houses here. Ten houses were already undergoing construction.

Pacquaio was building two housing projects in Tango. The lot in Purok 1, Tango proper, was worth P1.5 million with a barangay government counterpart of P750,000 and another P750,000 from the congressman. There are 94 beneficiaries in Purok 1.

Pacaldo said that for the housing project that broke ground here, Congressman Pacquiao spent P2 million from his own pocket for the lot. For more news and updates, please visit the Province of Sarangani . (Serafin Ramos Jr./SARANGANI INFORMATION OFFICE)

Congressman Manny Pacquiao discusses some points with Governor Migs Dominguez during the short program at the ground breaking ceremony of the housing project of the congressman Tuesday, July 31, in barangay Tango implemented by Habitat for Community. For more news and updates, please visit the Province of Sarangani . (Cocoy Sexcion/SARANGANI INFORMATION OFFICE)

USA Today: Federer, Pacquiao, Lebron, Tiger among Esquire's top 50

If you do the math, and Esquire has, Roger Federer is the top athlete in the world.

The magazine has a formula that includes performance (MVP and championships); social media (YouTube and Google hits), money (Google hits for "charity" and listing on Forbes) as well as negatives (Google hits on "scandal") for a list of Who's Who and for some of us a Who's That?

The top 10 on the top 50 list: Federer (tennis), Manny Pacquiao (boxing), LeBron James (basketball), Rafael Nadal (tennis), Tiger Woods (golf), Floyd Mayweather (boxing), Conrad Anker (climbing), Chrissie Wellington (triathlete), Sidney Crosby (hockey) and Trevor Brazile (rodeo).

Pacquiao-Bradley controversy not a criminal matter: Nevada officials

Nevada's state attorney general found nothing illegal or criminal in Manny Pacquiao's controversial split-decision loss to Timothy Bradley in a welterweight title fight last month in Las Vegas, according to a letter made public Tuesday.

Interviews with the referee of the June 9 fight, two Nevada Gaming Control Board officials and state Athletic Commission Director Keith Kizer turned up no evidence of wrongdoing, state Attorney General Catherine Cortez Masto said in the letter to Top Rank chief executive Bob Arum.

Top Rank chief executive Bob Arum, who promoted the fight, sought an inquiry June 11, telling Masto that he hoped it would "show the world that there were no improprieties."

Arum didn't immediately respond Tuesday to requests for comment.

"Displeasure with the subjective decisions of sporting officials is not a sufficient basis for this office to initiate a criminal investigation," Masto's letter said. "There do not appear to be any facts or evidence to indicate that a criminal violation occurred."

Masto aide Jennifer Lopez issued a statement calling the matter closed.

Bradley won 115-113 on two scorecards, while losing by the same margin on the third.

The decision was booed by the ringside crowd June 9 at the MGM Grand arena, drew a video review by the World Boxing Organization, and resulted in a call by Pacquiao for a rematch.

A five-judge panel assembled by the WBO championship committee unanimously favored the Filipino fighter in a review.

The WBO can't overturn the result of the fight.

Nevada AG: Nothing Criminal in Manny Pacquiao-Timothy Bradley bout

AG rules on Pacquiao-Bradley bout

Las Vegas (AP)

The state attorney general in Nevada says she found no illegalities and no criminal wrongdoing in boxer Manny Pacquiao's controversial split-decision loss to Timothy Bradley in a welterweight title fight last month in Las Vegas.

 An aide to Attorney General Catherine Cortez Masto on Tuesday called the matter closed.

Top Rank chief executive Bob Arum manages both fighters. He didn't immediately respond to a message.

Bradley won 115-113 on two scorecards, while losing by the same margin on the third.

The decision was booed by the June 9 crowd at the MGM Grand arena, and drew a review by the World Boxing Organization.

Arum said in a June 11 letter calling for an inquiry by Masto that he hoped it would ''show the world that there were no improprieties.''

Pacquiao's Achilles' heel? Pastors swarming around boxing icon for money, perks—sources

 Philippine Daily Inquirer/ Inquirer Mindanao

GENERAL SANTOS CITY, Philippines—Protestant pastors have been coming in droves to Manny Pacquiao’s mansion here. And their number is increasing each day.

One day, seven of them coming from different religious factions arrived. The next day, the number rose to 10. They take a bath, sleep and eat right there as if it is their own house.

They are forming to be the Achilles’ heel of the boxing icon. They follow him wherever he goes—from here to Baguio and even the United States.

They started stalking the Filipino ring idol after the Pacquiao-Marquez fight in November 2011, when the world’s eight-division boxing champ decided to change his lifestyle and began holding daily Bible study with his family, friends and supporters.

But there were just two or three pastors then attending the Bible study.

A source close to Pacquiao told the Philippine Daily Inquirer that these pastors have been abusing the man’s kindness and generosity.

“They are making our boxing idol a milking cow. The real Manny Pacquiao doesn’t know how to say no. But if they are real disciples of God, they should be ashamed of what they are doing,” the source said.
The source said that one pastor was given an iPad but seemingly not contented with what he got, he still asked for a new service vehicle. “Now, he is sporting a brand-new pickup, courtesy of Manny Pacquiao,” the source added.

Another pastor asked for cash, while still another abandoned his flock somewhere in northern Luzon just to be with the boxer-lawmaker.

Another pastor joined the Pacquiao team during the training camp in Los Angeles. “He asked for 36 tickets in the Pacquiao-Bradley fight. The guy got what he wanted,” the source said.

“I was the one so ashamed when he asked Manny Pacquiao to get eight hotel rooms for his family in the US,” the source added.

According to the Inquirer source, it was the first time that someone asked for 36 tickets and eight hotel rooms from the boxing champ.

When Pacquiao and his entourage arrived at the Ninoy Aquino International Airport (NAIA) on June 16, this same pastor was seen brandishing a big Louis Vuitton bag.

“Now, there are so many pastors. I want to be a pastor, too,” the source stated.

Another source has admitted being convinced that religion is the opium of the masses.  “And the preachers are the pushers,” the source added. “Before, we were expecting that these pastors would help or guide Manny Pacquiao towards the path of salvation. We didn’t expect that they would abuse his kindness and generosity.”

The poor, the source claimed, need Pacquiao’s help more than the pastors do. “The poor people are more deserving of such blessings. I hope, one day, they will realize their mistake and that they will stop asking any kind of favor from Pacquiao.”

The sources said the preachers have been planning a “grand religious concert” for Pacquiao at the Araneta coliseum on June 28.

“They assigned Manny Pacquaio as the main speaker. From what I’ve heard during the discussion, they wanted Pacquiao to settle all the bills before the staging of the concert,” the source disclosed.

However, according to the source, Pacquiao insisted that all the bills for the venue rental, catering, transportation, etc., be settled only after the concert.

“Of course, it can be read between the lines that someone is bound to make a killing out of this concert. This is a multimillion-peso event,” the source said.

The same sources further revealed that a rift has developed among Pacquiao’s political backers, boxing circle and the pastors.

“Manny Pacquiao tends to listen to these pastors more than to his advisers and friends from political and boxing circles,” one of the sources claimed.

Those from political and boxing circles, the source said, believed that Pacquiao’s involvement in religious activities has hurt his boxing career.

Before, the source said, the distractions in Pacquiao’s life were his gambling and drinking buddies. “Now, the distractions are the pastors and they are far more costly than the previous ones.”

“The old Manny Pacquiao is gone. Atop the ring, he is no longer as ferocious as before. Unless he learns to temper his newfound passion and obsession, we would no longer see knock-out victories in his future fights,” the source averred.

Manny Pacquiao's promoter Bob Arum wants fourth duel with Juan Manuel Marquez

Manny Pacquiao’s promoter Bob Arum yesterday all but ruled out a rematch between the Filipino great and the new World Boxing Organisation welterweight champion Timothy Bradley yesterday after insisting last Saturday's night fight in Las Vegas "was not even close" after accusing the judging officials "of screwing up". 

The split decision – two judges scored the contests 115-113 – was slated around the world by former champions and seasoned observers as one of the worst even seen. 

Arum's view is that Pacquiao dominated the first fight with Bradley to such an extent they will simply move on. “I don’t want to do a rematch,” Arum told The Las Vegas Sun. 

“This fight was a one-sided fight. If it had been scored properly, 10-2 or 9-3 [in rounds], who would be asking for a rematch? – Nobody. Just because these officials screwed up, that doesn’t justify a rematch.”

Pacquiao, 33, and a Congressman in The Philippines, where the mood has been one of complete indignation at the scoring, is now expected to move on to a fourth challenge against the Mexican great Juan Manuel Marquez in November as calls for a fight with Floyd Mayweather continue to be ignored by the long-time promoter. 

Arum, the 80 year-old promoter, has asked the Nevada State Attorney General and the State's Athletic Commission to investigate the scoring of the Pacquiao-Bradley fight, while the WBO themselves have called on its own five-man panel "to review" the scoring.
 

Arum has also insisted he be interviewed as part of the investigation. 

“I asked them to investigate my involvement as a promoter. I want them to take my testimony,” said Arum. 

Las Vegas Review-Journal: Disputed fight spurs less fact than fiction

By Ed Graney

Bob Arum has called for an investigation by the attorney general, and Sen. Harry Reid is endorsing such a move, and the WBO has said it will launch a review, and Timothy Bradley has ice on his ankles, and Manny Pacquiao is probably home in the Philippines handing out money to strangers who wander by his house.
The saga that was the most-ridiculous-split-decision-in-recent-memory plays on, with majority opinions about those who judged it remaining strong in this sense: They got it wrong.

The names Jerry Roth and Duane Ford and CJ Ross have been front and center since Saturday evening, when Bradley was handed a win he didn't earn in a welterweight title fight against Pacquiao at the MGM Grand Garden.

The three scores of 115-113 - Roth was the one who sided with Pacquiao - have created more questions than answers, affording us a wonderful opportunity to play another version of a wildly popular game.

 Fact or Fiction.

Claim: Any investigation into the scoring will prove futile, and Pacquiao will follow through with his rematch against Bradley in November.

Fact.

I don't believe the fight was fixed. I don't believe anyone was on the take.

I believe the three assigned to judge it had forgettable nights at the office and will be surprised to see any of them scoring another major title fight here anytime soon.

Arum is a promoter whose leading fighters also have been handed favorable decisions over the years, with an argument being made for Pacquiao as recently as November against Juan Manuel Marquez.

Time will pass. Negotiations will begin. More millions will be made on the rematch for all parties.

As for Reid, perhaps he should worry about something a tad more serious than Pacquiao-Bradley. Like, well, the more than 400 pink slips being handed teachers across the valley.

Claim: Judges such as Ford (74) and Roth (71) are too old to continue scoring such major fights.

Fiction.

It's not a function of age. It's one of accountability. Judges need more clinics, more film study, more seminars to keep their skills sharp. Nevada Athletic Commission executive director Keith Kizer should be the one ensuring this happens. How can you claim to regulate your sport when you don't consistently regulate those who judge it?

Kizer didn't return a message left on his phone Monday, which I have to believe was due to the fact he was busy explaining to others how those he chose to judge the fight erred in such a blatant regard.

Highly competent judges have made sound scoring decisions into their 80s. Some in their 40s wouldn't know a 10-count from a body punch.

The education of judges never should end, and if Kizer and his commissioners think they're doing enough in this regard, then they all were taking turns on Pacquiao's treadmill Saturday and not watching the fight.

Claim: Ross wasn't experienced enough to judge a fight the level of Pacquiao-Bradley.

Fiction.

You can't judge a second megafight until you score your first one. Every official in the NBA, every umpire in the major leagues, every referee in the NFL has to make his maiden voyage into the big time at some point. Ross has scored fights since 1992 and was a judge on the Canelo Alvarez-Shane Mosley bout here in May.
At some point, she was going to get this shot.

And to those in the Top Rank camp, who since Saturday have questioned Ross' viability and resume to judge the fight: Why, then, didn't your representative stand up and speak out against her when given the opportunity at a commission meeting that made official the three judges for Pacquiao-Bradley? Why did you remain silent if you had such concerns about her experience?

Claim: Boxing should be more transparent in its approach and begin showing scorecards at the end of each round.

Fiction.

Nice idea, in theory. In reality, a disaster.

Who's to say a fighter leading 4-1 after five rounds and who gets cut doesn't have an unscrupulous cornerman who makes that cut a tad deeper, claims his guy can't continue and the fight goes to the scoring cards? Who's to say someone trailing 8-0 in rounds doesn't quit?

Open scoring would do far more harm than good.

Claim: When told of the fight's outcome in his cell at the Clark County Detention Center, Floyd Mayweather Jr. cracked a large smile, somehow pulled himself off his cot in such an emaciated state that two weeks in jail reportedly has left him, threw caution to the wind and took a big gulp of tap water.

Fact.

Well, at least the part about smiling.

Las Vegas Review-Journal sports columnist Ed Graney can be reached at egraney@reviewjournal.com or 702-383-4618. He can be heard from 11 a.m. to 2 p.m. Monday through Friday on "Gridlock," ESPN 1100 and 98.9 FM. Follow him on Twitter: @edgraney.

wbo committee to review disputed judges' decision
 

One of boxing's major sanctioning bodies will review Timothy Bradley's controversial split decision over Manny Pacquiao, the first step toward what promoter Bob Arum hopes will be "clarity" in the judging of the fight.

WBO president Francisco "Paco" Valcarcel said in a statement Wednesday that the WBO's championship committee will review video of the fight with five "recognized international judges" and make a recommendation. He said the WBO does not doubt the ability of the scoring judges.

Most reporters seated ringside and the vast majority of fans inside the MGM Grand Garden on Saturday night thought Pacquiao had easily retained his welterweight title against Bradley.

The first surprise came when ring announcer Michael Buffer announced that there was a split decision, and the biggest surprise came in the reading of the judges' scores. Jerry Roth had it 115-113 for Pacquiao, while Duane Ford and CJ Ross had it for Bradley by the same score.

The Associated Press scored the fight 117-111 for Pacquiao.

"The public saw the fight, and they're outraged, and we need clarity here," Arum said Wednesday. "We need those responsible to investigate, to see what happened, how the judges could be so off.

"Was there any funny business going on? Or no funny business? Did they have a conversation with e

ach other? We need to get clarity. The public is demanding it."

THE ASSOCIATED PRESS