The private secretary of Philippine ring icon Manny Pacquiao yesterday confirmed that the boxing champ will spend for the travel expenses of Bacolod Mayor Evelio Leonardia during his match against Oscar de la Hoya on Dec. 6 in Nevada.
In a phone interview, Bren Evangelio yesterday said Pacquiao had also shouldered Leonardia?s travel expenses, ticket for the fight and hotel accommodation in the past, except for his pocket money.
The clarification was made after a Commission on Audit report distributed to the media by some quarters recently, showed that in 2005, the city government spent P262,273,00.84 for payment/reimbursement of traveling expenses.
City Accountant Ed Ravena had said that the amount of P262 million in 2005 is composed of several accounts, and not only of traveling expenses. He said the accounts had been lodged under the item ?traveling expenses? before the COA directed them to list them separately in 2006.
If the P262 million had been spent on traveling expenses, it could have covered a world tour for the entire City Hall personnel, which is impossible for the city to do, Ravena added.
Meanwhile, Evangelio said Pacquiao asked him to confirm when Leonardia is leaving for the US.
He said Leonardia will still be holding the championship belt of Pacquiao since the ring icon believes the mayor is his lucky charm because, with him, he has won several fights.
Evangelio said Pacquiao has met the weight requirement. ?He weighs 150 pounds right now but days before the fight, he can trim down to 147 pounds,? he added.
Rey Golingan, president of the Amateur Boxing Association of General Santos City and Pacquiao?s adviser, said he is very positive that Pacquiao will dominate De la Hoya since he is younger and faster.
He said De la Hoya will not be able to withstand him.
Golingan said he believes De la Hoya could weaken by the 7th round and fall even before the 12th round. He said Pacquiao has fought stronger opponents and even those who are bigger than De la Hoya so he is confident of the boxing champs? victory.
Pacquiao is expected to bring home $25 million in this fight against De la Hoya, Golingan said.*CGS
