NORTH COTABATO Vice Gov. Manny Pi?ol denied reports he and estranged boxer Diosdado Gabi have patched up their differences.
Pi?ol, however, admitted Manny Pacquiao called him the other day obviously to mediate for Gabi.
“Tinanong ko si Manny ano din ba ang gusto niya. Wala naman problema sa akin kung hihingi siya ng tawad,” Pi?ol told BusinessMirror.
A report came out on TV stating that Gabi and Pi?ol are already in speaking terms through the intercession of Pacquiao.
Pi?ol’s concern is the harm done by Gabi’s action to the vice governor’s mother, who treated the boxer like her own son.
“’Yung mother ko is like a foster mother kay Gabi. Siya ang nasaktan sa ginawa ni Gabi na pag-alis sa amin na hindi man lang nagpaalam,” said Pi?ol. “’yung mother ko pa ang nag-ayos at nagpahiram ng mga gamit sa asawa ni Gabi noong ikakasal na sila.”
Early this week, Pi?ol reacted to reports that came out regarding a Davao City court issuing a warrant of arrest for Gabi.
The arrest warrant had something to do with a case filed by Pi?ol against Gabi for violating their managerial contract. Pi?ol is seeking P4.8 million from Gabi, an amount which was said to be what the vice governor invested in the boxer.
“Nagtataka ako kung bakit nire-revive ng grupo ni Gabi itong kaso. I have even forgotten it already,” said an incensed Pi?ol in a recent interview with BusinessMirror. “I filed it in 2005 when he fled along with Michael Koncz to the US.”
Pi?ol in a way wants to teach Gabi a lesson for having the bad habit of absconding from his benefactors.
According to Pi?ol, Gabi also deserted former manager Roger Sumampong, whom the boxer accused pocketing his boxing earnings.
“Sinabi ni Gabi na hindi binibigay ni Roger ’yung premyo niya. Naniwala naman kami, kaya kinuha namin siya and binayaran si Roger ng P150,000 para i-surrender ’yung managerial rights,” disclosed Pi?ol. “I have squandered a fortune in my 20 years sa boxing. Si Gabi lang ang nagreklamo na hindi namin ibinibigay ang premyo.”
Pi?ol, a three-term governor who also had a distinguished career as a boxing broadcaster and columnist, chastised Gabi for making it appear that the boxer was mistreated during their short-lived promotional and managerial partnership which started in 2002.
Pi?ol added that Pacquiao is setting up a meeting among them to work things out.
“All I want is for Gabi to make a public apology. Sabi ko nga this goes way back to my mother,” added Pi?ol.
The other day Gabi surrendered in Davao, then immediately posted a P5,000 bail for his temporary liberty related to the breach of contract case filed by Pi?ol.
