I did not endorse Manny Pacquiao

 

 “I'm not exactly the endorsement people are seeking.”

—Jack Abramoff

 

By Alex P. Vidal

 

SOME of our friends misinterpreted the recent article I wrote entitled “Ingrato”, where I criticized Chavit Singson and Jayke Joson, two of Senator Emmanuel “Manny” Pacquiao’s former bosom friends who turned his enemies, to be an endorsement of his presidential bid in the Philippine election on May 9, 2022.

One of them is Las Vegas-based Republican party factotum Raleigh, who ribbed me: “Didn’t I inform you only in August that Pacquiao’s campaign team was hard-pressed to raise funds for his candidacy here in Vegas because he’s hard to sell in the Pinoy community? And you are now endorsing him?”

“Your endorsement of Pacquiao means you have become his fanatic outside boxing?” bewailed a Sacramento-based Trump loyalist who fled the Philippines in 2001 as a political refugee.  

I never endorsed Pacquiao for president in that article. 

I wrote the article only to defend him from ingrates who badmouthed him because he was no longer active in boxing (and isn’t anymore a lucrative prizefighter); and it happened when he is running for president against the administration candidate.

I needed to express my own point of view as a moral obligation because I know both Singson and Joson benefited a lot from Pacquiao during the retired boxer’s heydays, and I thought they should be the last persons to mimic Cassius and Brutus when push comes to shove. 

 

-o0o-

 

I made it clear from the beginning or since rumors made the rounds that Pacquiao was eyeing the presidency of the Philippines (that was way back in 2008 when he was still active in professional boxing) that I was against Pacquiao as a boxing icon joining the dirty world of politics.

That stand still holds until today.

I have covered the retired boxer’s biggest fights in the United States since 2007 and met some of the most prominent and controversial characters who surrounded and bilked him, including some Good Samaritans whose intentions were purely to provide him moral and spiritual support and nothing else.

Some of them also became my good friends; in fact, many Team Pacquiao insiders became my sympathizers and even supporters during the turbulent moments of my legal tiff against Freddie Roach in California 12 years ago.

I was prompted to expose Singson and Joson in my recent article after watching their videos on Youtube where they separately impeached the former boxer’s reputation at the time when their former benefactor needed a moral support as a presidential timber, now being poleaxed by political tormentors in the mainstream and social media.

I thought it was inappropriate for the two to abandon a friend “when he needed them most” and to humiliate Pacquiao in public without taking into consideration their past joyful moments where they once literally ate on Pacquiao’s plates and benefited politically and financially from the former boxer’s popularity.

I just couldn’t keep silent.

 

-o0o-

 

AFTER Iloilo City mayor Geronimo “Jerry” Trenas, we expect Iloilo governor Arthur “Toto” Defensor Jr. to follow suit in the endorsement of Vice President Leni Robredo for president in the May 9, 2022 election.

It’s not really difficult to read between the lines. 

When it comes to decency, straight shooting and intelligent choices, we can always count on the Ilonggo leaders.

This is very possible judging from the recent statement made by former Iloilo governor, Arthur “Art” Sr., who expressed displeasure that the election law allows the last-minute substitution tactic, which is being exploited and employed by other political parties that field presidential aspirants.

We know which political party or camp has been a consistent advocate of last-minute substitution.  

We know who are the political allies of Robredo supporter, Senator Franklin “Frank” Drilon, in the city and province of Iloilo.

If this will materialize, Robredo and her pink phenomenon will be a force to reckon with in Western Visayas, not Bongbong Marcos.

We also expect the other Ilonggo constellation, the Bacolod and Negros electorate across the sea, to join forces with the solid Iloilo.

History is being made.

(The author, who is now based in New York City, used to be the editor of two dailies in Iloilo—Ed)

 

Ingrato!

 

“Does not the gratitude of the dog put to shame any man who is ungrateful to his benefactors?’

—Saint Basil

 

By Alex P. Vidal

 

I WAS disgusted when I saw on Youtube Chavit Singson and Jayke Joson saying nasty things against former world boxing champion and now presidential candidate, Senator Emmanuel “Manny” Pacquiao.

The first, a former governor of Ilocos Sur, belittled Pacquiao’s candidacy and predicted that the retired boxer would end up financially bankrupt if he loses in the presidential race.

The second, a movie producer, accused the 42-year-old senator of pocketing P160 million the former boxer had allegedly took as cash advance of his fee in a fight with UFC superstar Conor McGregor that never happened.

I don’t have complete details about the foiled UFC duel, and I don’t have any idea if it is true that money changed hands between Joson and Pacquiao. 

I am also not privy to the true genesis of the feud between the former governor and the former boxer.

All I know, as someone who has covered most of Pacquiao’s fights in the United States for the past 13 years, is that both Singson and Joson were always in the entourage of Team Pacquiao.

And judging from the way they treated the now presidential candidate Pacquiao, I can say, without any second thought, that both of them are ingrato.

They have no manners. 

If they have nothing good to say about their former friend, it would have been better if they shut up now that Pacquiao is a presidential candidate and is being lambasted and ridiculed by his political opponents left and right.

 

-o0o-

 

I personally witnessed how both of them benefited tremendously from Pacquiao during his salad days as a former 8-time world boxing kingpin.

Singson was never an original member of Team Pacquiao. 

He was just a fan who idolized Pacquiao as a prizefighter. 

Singson gatecrashed his way to the circle of Pacquiao, who couldn’t shoo him away because of his stature as a prominent Philippine politician.

Bob Arum once berated him like a kindergarten pupil in front of the world when he gatecrashed in the presidential table of the Pacquiao vs De La Hoya fight during our press conference at the MGM Grand. 

Joson is an eyesore in the Team Pacquiao. His presence inside the ring during the introduction of Pacquiao's fights was a big disgrace because he had no official role. He was not a trainer or a water boy. 

I know a lot of stories about this ingrate. I know why Jinkee Pacquiao once wanted to ban him from the team. 

As I said, I know a lot of things about Singson, or how he became a “member” of Team Pacquaio; and I know why Joson is one of the most hated personalities in the Team Pacquiao.

I am an eyewitness. My memory is clear.

When I start to tell my own story, many people who were with me when I covered Pacquiao’s fights in the U.S. since 2007, will definitely stop, look, and listen.

 

-o0o- 

 

Like her predecessor, resigned governor Andrew Cuomo, New York Governor Kathy Hochul, has been sending me a regular email, which she also sent to other New Yorkers, about updates on the state’s  fight against COVID-19.

“Alex, Since Day One as governor, I’ve been committed to transparency — that means communicating openly and honestly with you. That's why starting today, I will be sending updates on our ongoing efforts to combat COVID-19 and vaccinate New Yorkers — straight to your email inbox.

Let's dive in.

SHARING THIS WEEK'S COVID TRENDS. As of October 19, 2021, there were 2,144 New Yorkers hospitalized with COVID-19. Our 7-day percentage positivity average was 2.33%, which is down from 2.53% last week.

Per the CDC, 86.2% of adult New Yorkers have at least one vaccine dose. So far, 26,412,510 total vaccine doses have been administered, and 58,380 doses were administered over the past 24 hours. 

ANNOUNCING A NEW DATA HUB. We launched a new portal that will house all of the state's data related to our COVID-19 efforts.

GETTING KIDS READY FOR THE PFIZER VACCINE. We expect authorization to come soon, as soon as November, for kids ages 5-11, and New York State is ready to go when it comes.

Parents: Make a plan now so you don't have to wait once approval comes.

The State is also working closely with schools so they can help get shots in arms.

TWO WEEKS LEFT TO VAX AND WIN. Get vaccinated and enter to win tickets, gear, and more from your favorite New York football teams.

GET YOUR FLU SHOT. Good news! You can receive your COVID vaccine and the flu shot at the same time. Get your flu shot as soon as you can. Don't forget to wear a mask and stay home if you're sick — helpful advice for avoiding COVID, too. Watch our new PSA encouraging everyone to get their flu shot.

Every week, we’re answering some commonly asked questions about COVID-19 and vaccinations.  You can submit a question for a chance to get your question answered in next week’s newsletter. Submit your question here.

QUESTION: Are COVID-19 vaccines safe for pregnant people?

ANSWER: Yes. The CDC recently released new data on the safety of COVID-19 vaccinations among pregnant people and encourages vaccination for all people 12 years and older, including people who are pregnant, breastfeeding, trying to get pregnant now, or might become pregnant in the future. The increased circulation of the highly contagious Delta variant, the low vaccine uptake among pregnant people, and the increased risk of severe illness and pregnancy complications related to COVID-19 infection among pregnant people make vaccination for this population more urgent than ever. 

My friends, I hope you stay safe this week. There's only one way to get out of this pandemic, and it's by working together.

Ever Upward, Governor Kathy Hochul”

(The author, who is now based in New York City, used to be the editor of two dailies in Iloilo—Ed)