GENERAL SANTOS CITY — Boxing icon and Sarangani Rep. Emmanuel “Manny” D. Pacquiao has filed a libel case against a chapter chairman of the National Union of Journalists in the Philippines (NUJP). The boxing champion is seeking P75 million in damages against Edwin G. Espejo, chairman of the NUJP for South Cotabato, Sarangani and General Santos City. Mr. Espejo writes for the Asian Correspondent. He also maintains a column called “Pacquiao Watch” and “Southern Comfort.”
Mr. Pacquiao?s case stemmed from the recent articles of Mr. Espejo, which appeared on the online news outfits Asian Correspondent and “MindaNews.”
At the Asian Correspondent, the piece was titled “Stolen car dealer finds refuge in Pacman mansion,” while MindaNews titled it “Dealer of stolen cars last seen in Pacman mansion.”
Citing reports, Mr. Espejo wrote that Mohammad “Bong” Akia, former head of the Presidential Anti-Smuggling Group in Region 12, or Central Mindanao, was seen disembarking from a commercial plane from Manila two weeks ago, and immediately boarded the waiting vehicle of Mr. Pacquiao who flew in on the same flight.
“Reports said Akia accompanied Pacquiao in the latter?s residence and has not been seen since,” Mr. Espejo reported. An earlier press statement from the Philippine National Police said the suspect (whose surname was spelled Aquia) has been charged with violation of Republic Act 6539 or the Anti-Carnapping Act.
The case was filed against Mr. Akia after the Highway Patrol Group arrested a village official here for possession of a stolen Hyundai Starex van. The village official identified Mr. Akia as the source of the “hot car” that was forcibly carjacked from a businessman in Angeles City and replaced with a license plate registered to showbiz celebrity Luis S. Manzano, the police statement said.
Mr. Pacquiao?s lawyers filed the libel suit late Monday afternoon at the city prosecutor?s office. Mr. Espejo said he has yet to formally receive a copy of the complaint but that he was able to obtain a copy from a third party. “I?ll stand by my story,” he told BusinessWorld, noting that he was still trying to find a lawyer to help him and that he was still waiting for the official copy of the complaint before issuing any more comments.
In the two articles that were the basis of Mr. Pacquiao?s complaint, Mr. Espejo wrote that Mr. Pacquiao could not be reached for comment at the time because he was in the US promoting his upcoming fight with American Timothy Bradley.
Mr. Pacquiao?s lawyer, Francisco Gacal, said he was not aware Mr. Akia was in Mr. Pacquiao?s residence, the article reads.
Mr. Gacal, younger brother of longtime Pacquiao lawyer Franklin Gacal, Jr., said he will have to confirm the reports with the eight-time world boxing champion, it added.
“Knowing Congressman (Pacquiao) and Jinky, they do not allow GenSan (General Santos) guests to stay in their mansion,” Mr. Gacal said even as he said he will inform Mr. Pacquiao about the rumor that Mr. Akia is still holed up inside the residence of the congressman, according to the articles.
In the MindaNews article, the piece cited a report posted on www.journal.com.ph on Feb. 26. The Journal report said that police personnel were ready to arrest Mr. Akia at the General Santos City airport morning of Feb. 11 but Mr. Akia hurriedly went to Mr. Pacquiao, who had just arrived on board a commercial plane from Manila and was walking to his Hummer. — Romer S. Sarmiento
