MANILA, Philippines ? An unnamed board member of the exclusive Manila Golf Club (MGC) refuted reports that it rejected the membership application of eight division world boxing champ and Sarangani Rep. Manny ?Pacman? Pacquiao.
In a PEP report published on July 20, the board member clarified that Pacquiao submitted an application only to the Manila Polo Club (MPC), another elite club based in Forbes Park, Makati City.
More, the board member also offered a reason why MPC might not have allowed Pacquiao to join their prestigious group. ?It’s a small club in a small village. They want to preserve a lifestyle,” the board member said, as quoted in PEP.
Recall that in mid-June this year, Pacquiao confirmed buying a mansion at Forbes? Cambridge Circle, which is said to be worth about 388 million pesos.
On its official website, the MPC maintained that its members ?are mainly classified as the country’s A-listers belonging to the influential and affluent level of the Philippine status quo.
?Political personalities, business icons and heads of mission make up the diverse yet unified body of the club membership.”
The board member further explained that such exclusive clubs are strict with their members bringing in a big number of ?guests, bodyguards, or in Pacqiuao’s case, an entire entourage.? He added that not even the President of the Philippines and the Mayor of Makati, honorary members of the MGC, are excused from this rule.
This clarification comes after sportswriter Recah Trinidad ran an item in the Philippine Daily Inquirer website on July 11, quoting the reaction of ?golf godfather Louise Reyes? on ?the controversial vote that deprived national treasure Manny Pacquiao of membership in an exclusive country club.? Trinidad wrote:
?Rod Feliciano and I are pissed. Manila Golf Club and Manila Polo Club rejected the membership of Manny Pacquiao. Damned elitists. Manny earned his fortune without stealing from the Filipino and brought pride and glory for Pinoys. How many members of the club can claim the same? How idiotic. They deserve to be censured.?
Michael Marley (former sports columnist at the New York Post and operator of BoxingConfidential.com) of The Examiner likewise aired his ire towards those he called ?fat cats? and ?a bunch of divotheads.?
?Clearly, this is prejudice based on pedigree.
?Either that, or you must be very rich AND have won world ring titles in nine weight divisions before you can qualify for the privilege of membership,? he also wrote in an article entitled, ?Manila fat cats reject Manny Pacquiao, his Pinoy blood not rich enough for them.?
Pacquiao and the MPC have yet to air their respective sides.
