THE management team of Manny Pacquiao, headed by Shelly Finkel, filed a lawsuit against the Filipino ring idol, but subsequently filed the necessary dismissal in Los Angeles Superior Court.
In an overseas telephone conversation with Viva Sports/Standard Today, Pacquiao’s Filipino lawyer Franklin Gacal said he had requested Finkel to “file the necessary changes in the manifestation to dismiss because he didn’t agree with the nature of the dismissal without prejudice which meant they could refile the case against Pacquiao anytime.”
Gacal revealed the Finkel management team said they would do it this morning. However, Gacal noted that despite a promise to drop the lawsuit filed earlier against him and Pacquiao’s close friend and confidant Wakee Salud, he had checked with the court “but nothing was filed.”
Gacal said Finkel promised to file the necessary motion of a request for dismissal during a meeting Monday night. However, he said he would give them “the benefit of the doubt because maybe the court employees couldn’t include it in the computer.”
Gacal claimed they did not discuss an extension of the management contract of Finkel’s group with Pacquiao which expires on Jan. 31, 2007.
He said Finkel’s group shocked him by their being extra nice, which was a turnaround from their previous strong stand. He said Finkel insisted they are “working in the best interests of Manny,” which Gacal indicated he would “take at face value” but added he would remain on guard.
Finkel, in an e-mail to Viva Sports/Standard Today, said that they had met with Gacal and Salud and “everything has been worked out. Everything is under control at this moment.”
At the same time, Finkel said he would rather not comment at this time on any settlement terms.
