MANILA, Philippines ? Eight-time world boxing champ and Sarangani province representative Manny Pacquiao appeals for the public?s understanding and support in light of the latest criticisms being hurled at him.
Pacman, through his column ?Kumbinasyon? on Philboxing.com, published ?Manny Pacquiao: ?The Boxer and Congressman?? in the vernacular on March 24. In it he generally attempted to appease the public by saying that he?s not neglecting his duty as congressman despite rigorous preparations for his upcoming bout with ?Sugar? Shane Mosley on May 7.
Recall that early this week, Pacquiao was put under fire after posting replies to some Twitter users who called him out on his absence in the Congressional hearing for the impeachment of Ombudsman Merceditas Gutierrez.
According to the boxer-congressman, he is seriously determined to leave his ?pound-for-pound? title untarnished by defending his WBO welterweight belt against Mosley, who he notes has never been knocked out in his whole boxing career.
With that, Pacquiao deemed the heavy physical preparations and strategic planning necessary, which he’s been doing in Baguio City and will continue in the US in the days leading up to his fight.
?Dahil marami ang nakasubaybay sa mga kaganapan at halos sold out na ang MGM Grand Garden Arena sa Las Vegas, Nevada, hindi biro ang labang ito kaya naman hindi rin ako nagpapabaya sa training,? he said, adding that ?Manny Pacquiao, the boxer, will come in ready and prepared for his upcoming fight.?
However, this, he said, will ?never? make him ?back down from his sworn duty to serve the people.?
?? nakatutok pa rin ako sa mga pangangailangan ng aking distrito at ang aking congressional staff ay hindi rin nagpapabaya sa kani-kanilang trabaho. Kahit na nasa Baguio City kami, hindi kami nalilingat sa mga responsibilidad na mistula ay aming napapa-isang tabi,? he said.
?Dahil na rin po sa dalawa ang aking uniporme na aking pinagsasabay na isuot kung minsan–isang uniporme sa training at isa rin sa Kongreso–iisa po ang aking layunin simula pa noong ako ay lumaban sa ibabaw ng ring. Iyan ay ang magbigay ng karangalan sa ating bansa sa pamamagitan ng pagsakripisyo ko ng aking katawan, dugo at pagod,? Pacquiao continued.
To prove his claim that he?s dedicated to his obligation, he mentioned that he even uses his own resources for the projects in Sarangani.
He went on to appeal for everyone?s support, banking on the thought that, ?Ang tagumpay ko ay tagumpay nating lahat kaya naman walang tigil ang paghahanda sa laban.?
?Pag-uunawa lang po sana ang aking hinihingi sa inyong lahat, na sana ay makiisa ang lahat sa pagbibigay natin ng karagdagang karangalan sa ating Inang Bayan, kahit na minsan ay ?absent? ako sa roll call ng Kongreso.?
He also cited his recent meeting with US President Barack Obama, which coincided with his promotional tour for the Pacquiao-Mosley fight.
“‘Absent? din po ako sa Kongreso [noon] ngunit dala ko ang pangalan ng ating bansa,? he said.
Pacquiao will be flying to the US next week to continue training there. He ended his column with, ?Sana naman po, patuloy pa rin ang ating pananalangin bilang iisang bansa at lahi, gaya ng mga nagdaang mga laban.
?At sa huli, ang dangal ng Pilipinas pa rin ang mamamayani at ang ating bandila ang iwawagayway sa pandaigdigang entablado.?
Meanwhile, Pacquiao declined Floyd Mayweather’s $100 million fee demand for a match.
“Gusto niya na siya lang magka-premyo, ako hindi. Ayaw niyang magka-premyo ako,” he said, laughing, in a taped interview aired on “Saksi” Thursday evening.
“Dapat 50-50 kami. [Bale] $50 million sa kanya, $50 million sa ‘kin,” he said.
