So near and yet so far

“If you are neutral in situations of injustice, you have chosen the side of the oppressor. If an elephant has its foot on the tail of a mouse and you say that you are neutral, the mouse will not appreciate your neutrality.”

—Desmond Tutu

 

By Alex P. Vidal

 

NOT all cases of murder involving journalists in the Philippines came almost a cinch away to being solved like the killing of tough-talking broadcaster Percival “Percy Lapid” Mabasa of dwBL radio station in Metro Manila on October 3.

For a while, we heaved a sight of relief when confessed gunman Joel Escorial was finally identified and surrendered to the police in only two weeks after the slay when a P6 million bounty was offered for the tipsters.

Like some fellow journalists who have been following the progress of the investigation of Mabasa’s case, I didn’t write an opinion yet about Escorial’s capture. We waited for more developments; more heads to fall; more arrests, if possible.

He pointed to a certain Crisanto Palana Villamor, an inmate in the New Bilibid Prison (NBP), as the alleged “middleman” after identifying his cohorts Israel Dimaculangan and his brother Edmon, and a certain Orly or Orlando as among those who “planned and executed” the assassination with the “inducement” of Villamor who promised to pay them P550,000.

We monitored the developments and have nothing but praises for Interior Secretary Benjamin “Benhur” Abalos Jr. and his team of police investigators.

 

-o0o-

 

We thought Mabasa’s case would be exceptional in as far as the quick solution of the case was concerned. But as soon as the confessed triggerman and his fellow “hired” killers have been inquested for murder, the alleged “middleman” Villamor suddenly “died” as reported on October 18.

The police and the Department of Justice (DoJ) have been scrambling to explain the circumstances behind Villamor’s alleged sudden death.

So far, none of the actors deserved the Famas. The more they talked, the more people noticed either they didn’t understand what they were saying, or they were part of the suspected cover-up.

All suspicions now point to a murder, or Villamor was probably silenced in order to shield the mastermind or masterminds. As usual, a dead man tells no tale.

The charade obviously has all the suspected signature of a mob hit—right inside a supposed to be secured institution?

What are the chances that the mastermind or masterminds will ever be known? Authorities said they have “secured” another “middleman” who is also an inmate (meaning there were two).

How soon can this other one stay “alive”? Will he ever be seen again?

With no assurance from authorities that the mastermind or masterminds might still be identified now that Villamor is gone, everyone is now literally and figuratively facing a blank wall.  

Justice Secretary Boying Remulla was correct to suspend Bureau of Correction (BoC) Director General Gerald Bantag, who must have been caught only between the devil and the deep blue sea.

The solution of this treacherous and senseless murder was (once) so near and yet (it proved to be) so far.

 

-o0o-

  

I made a prediction before the start of the official campaign period of the May 2022 presidential election that retired boxer Senator Manny Pacquiao might stage a comeback in the ring after his defeat in the presidential election.

There have been reports that he was indeed contemplating to fight seriously again and has, in fact, been taunting his fellow boxing senior citizens like Floyd Mayweather Jr. and other retired former world champions in order to be noticed.

Because of the noise that he reportedly made and owing to his celebrity image, Pacquiao might succeed in convincing promoters to back his desire to fight again, but he will not be bankable anymore; he will no longer be a monster who used to devour his prey with gusto.

In fact, he might end up in a deplorable physical shape (God forbid) if his 44-year-old body can no longer receive and absorb brutal punishments.

Pacquiao is a pugilist by heart and mind. He was never meant to be a politician, but his celebrity status had brought him to politics, a strange territory tailor-made only for the talkative, the deceivers, and the plunderers, not for a ring warrior with abundance of athletic talent meant to entertain and make sports fans happy.

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

 

 

  

City council should stop ‘isolating’ Nava

“It's always fun to be the underdog and surprise people. It certainly puts less pressure on you.”

—Derek Drouin

By Alex P. Vidal

 

IT’S not healthy for the Iloilo City Council to deny lone opposition stalwart Plaridel Nava a committee chairmanship while throwing all the delicious meat to those allied with the City Hall administration.

The move was tantamount to intentionally isolating the firebrand councilor from Lapuz district ostensibly for being a bone in the throat of Mayor Geronimo “Jerry” Treñas.

An attempt to isolate the opposition can be otherwise interpreted as a callous move to stifle the check and balance, which is a vital cog in democracy.

When the opposition is in the receiving end, those in power and in the majority will always be viewed as bullies and heartless. 

History has been cruel for those in the higher echelon that are unkind to those in the lower ground. 

Anyway, we are tackling only the issue on committee chairmanship, not about silencing the opposition per se.

But silencing Nava may be technically the principal propositum of any move to prevent him from using the major access roads in the legislative mainstream, where he can best express his stentorian ability to right the wrong and showcase his own elements of surprise. 

There are many ways to skin the cat, as the saying goes.

 

-o0o-

 

Awarding two chairmanships to the other councilors though and shutting the door on Nava was handwriting on the wall. 

Nava looked bullied and underdog. 

It was like the case of a group of musical thugs, using their superior number, conspired to deny Beethoven entry to his piano room.   

As a sign of goodwill and magnanimity, the City Council should have played fair and square with the city’s most prominent opposition figure and allowed him to chair a committee of his choice, or where Vice Mayor Jeffrey Ganzon and the other council members see Nava fit and able to govern and excel as committee presiding officer.

Although he belongs in the other co-equal branch of government, Treñas certainly knew what was going on in the legislative body’s game of musical chairs and “could have done” something, in one way or the other, to ensure Nava wasn’t treated as unwanted child or outcast.

The City Hall administration would have looked good if Alexander’s empire was divided equally among all the aldermen—allies or not.

 

-o0o-

 

HALL of Fame boxing trainer Freddie Roach doesn’t want Senator Manny Pacquiao to fight again even only in exhibition. 

The defeated presidential aspirant, who terrorized the lightflyweight, flyweight, featherweight, lightweight, welterweight divisions during his heydays, does not have anything to prove, insisted Roach.

Even his wife, Jinkee, nixed any possible comeback for the 43-year-old old former eight-time world champion.

If Pacquiao wants to fight again let him do it. It’s his own body and he knows what he is doing as adult.

Roach will never prevent him from going up the ring again as long as the color of money won’t change.  

He definitely needs more money after reportedly spending and wasting more or less P500 million in his recent failed bid to become president.

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

 

  

 

   

 

 

    

Rich Pacquiao ‘allows’ rich junior to box

“A father is a man who expects his son to be as good a man as he meant to be.”

—Frank A. Clark

By Alex P. Vidal

IF I were Senator Emmanuel “Manny” Pacquiao, I would not allow any of my children to join boxing.

Boxing is normally the chosen sport of poor boys who risk their lives and limbs in the ring to escape from dire straits.

The Pacquiaos aren’t poor. The children don’t need to risk being hurt in this violent contact sport to eat three square meals a day.

Unless their father didn’t make it big as a prizefighter, or failed to earn enough for his retirement and wants his children to pick up the cudgels and continue his legacy both for fame and money, there is no sense for any parent to “compel” the kids to follow his footsteps as a boxer especially when there are opportunities for the kids to excel in other fields of endeavor.

But we learned that Pacquiao, who is running for Philippine president in the May 9 election, is actually against the decision of his 21-year-old son, Emmanuel Jr. to box.

“It pains me to see him box because I know how hard it is,” Pacquiao was quoted by Mirror, a UK-based publication.

This came after Emmanuel Jr. recently won his amateur debut representing  Wild Card Boxing Club in San Diego, California.

-o0o-

Even if it’s the son’s decision to become a boxer, the father Pacquiao—and also the mother—still have the authority and power to prevent it if they’re against it; the wealthy parents have the final say what’s best for their children, who grew up with a silver spoon, other than watching while they participate in a dangerous and cruel undertaking.   

But since Emmanuel Jr. has already logged his first win, it’s now a case of water under the bridge; the decision to let him box and probably pursue and duplicate the father’s stardom, if necessary, has been permitted by the family.

The list of Filipinos who seriously became boxers primarily to escape poverty is long. Some of those who captured world titles did not amass a wealth like Pacquiao, who was already 42 when he decided to quit, but they never allowed their children to choose boxing as a permanent livelihood. 

-o0o-

I WAS among the millions of people worldwide who watched and listened “live” on TV to the powerful speech of US President Joe Biden in Warsaw, Poland March 26 where he emphasized that Russian President Vladimir Putin “cannot remain in power” after launching his brutal invasion of Ukraine—a closing, off-the-cuff message issued in the final moments of Mr. Biden’s tour of Europe that the White House swiftly walked back.

It was the first time I heard the President speak like a true leader of the free world, which, I think, was very necessary in this crucial moment when the Russian invaders haven’t yet captured the Kyiv.

It was also Mr. Biden’s impromptu call for an end to Mr. Putin’s reign—a month after he launched a deadly and destructive war with neighboring Ukraine; it was his first time broaching the subject. 

Top administration officials, including Mr. Biden’s secretary of state, have stressed that they were not advocating a change in Russian leadership for weeks.

The line sent ripples throughout the U.S. foreign policy community, before the White House quickly clarified that Mr. Biden was not calling for regime change in his speech, contending that the president’s point was that Mr. Putin cannot be allowed to exercise power over his neighbors or the region. 

“He was not discussing Putin’s power in Russia, or regime change,” an official said in a statement.

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

Pacquiao isn’t a thief like P-Noy

“It's discouraging to think how many people are shocked by honesty and how few by deceit.”

—Noel Coward

 

By Alex P. Vidal

 

IF Senator Emmanuel “Manny” Pacquiao will win as president, he will not steal, according to his mother, Mommy Dionisa.

“Totoong matatakutin. Hindi magnanakaw ang aking anak. Tinuruan ko syang wag makialam kahit piso,” Mommy D said during her son’s recent proclamation rally in his bailiwick, Gen. Santos City, as quoted in the Philippine press.

We agree with Mommy D. In our short list, the 42-year-old former world boxing champion is one of the only three presidential candidates who might resist the temptations to steal from the government.

Like the late former President Benigno “P-Noy” Aquino III, Pacquiao is not a thief. 

Based on his humble background before seriously embarking on a life-threatening sports career since he was 16, Pacquiao would be an ideal but not necessarily competent president.

What he lacks in intellect, Pacquiao compensates with a good heart, sincerity and, perhaps, honesty. 

We’re not saying that the other remaining presidential candidates are not honest. We always declare that no one walks a saint in public service. 

“Might resist” is different from being honest.

 

-o0o-

 

If Diogenes of Sinope were alive today, he would be frustrated if he carried the lamp during the day looking for an honest presidential candidate or any public servant for that matter. 

Mommy D’s worries that her son’s spending during the campaign might drain his resources are, of course, valid. 

Pacquiao’s wealth came from his multimillion-dollar purses as a former 8-time world champion in eight different divisions, not from the real estate or industrial investments. 

He is a retired boxer who struggled and absorbed physical punishments for a living for years, not a business mogul. 

Unless he will fight again and risk his life as an aging fighter, he can’t instantly recover all his political expenses—win or lose.

In a presidential campaign, a P500 million kitty is like a drop in the bucket.

In fact, based on studies, a serious presidential candidate in the Philippines needs at least P5 billion in his war chest to mount a nationwide campaign that will last for three months.

If we consider Pacquiao’s numbers in the surveys, Mommy D has all the reason to worry. Money, after all, doesn’t grow on trees.

 

-o0o-

 

Another email from New York Governor Kathy Hochul:  Alex, I want to give you an update on our progress in the pandemic and the blueprint for moving forward. Our overall cases, positivity rate, and hospitalizations are down, while our hospital capacity, vaccination rates and booster rates are up. 

Back on January 9, the peak of the winter surge, there were nearly 382 cases per 100,000 people. Today, there were under 31 cases per 100,000 people — among the lowest in the nation. 

The numbers are clear — we are seeing major improvement on the key metrics we've been tracking throughout this pandemic.

We are not where we were in early December, and I want to thank New Yorkers for doing the right thing to help us get through this winter surge. 

But make no mistake about it: This pandemic is not over. Our fight against COVID-19 continues, and I've put together a five-point toolkit that ensures we keep New Yorkers safe and plan for the future, including a first-in-the-nation effort to help those experiencing long-term effects from COVID. 

We’re moving in the right direction and our winter toolkit lays out our path forward.

Given the rapid decline of cases and hospitalizations, we are now lifting the statewide mask-or-vaccine requirement for indoor businesses starting today, February 10. Counties, cities and businesses can still choose to require masks. 

The mask requirement remains in effect statewide for specific settings like health care facilities, nursing homes, and schools.

We’re continuing to track many key metrics and to take steps to keep kids safe, including sending every K-12 student home with two COVID tests ahead of the Midwinter break. 

I’ll continue looking closely at the numbers and working with education partners, and I will make an assessment on school masking in early March.

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

Monico finally ‘beats’ Mayor Bing for Pacquiao’s attention

 “Activity in politics also produces eager competition and sharp rivalry.”

--John George Nicolay

 

By Alex P. Vidal

 

IN THOSE times when Bacolod City mayor Evelio “Bing” Leonardia carried Senator Emmanuel “Manny” Pacquiao’s WBO belt inside the ring in Las Vegas, former Bacolod congressman and city mayor Monico “Nyuk” Puentevella stayed away from the limelight.

The two have been fierce political rivals in Bacolod City for decades.

In Las Vegas during Pacquiao’s title matches in the past 10 years, the two top Bacolod politicians avoided each other like Popeye and Bluto, both arch-rivals for the love of Olive Oyl.

But they pretended they didn’t see each other--or one of the didn’t exist—in rare occasions when it was inevitable that their path would cross either in press conferences or inside Pacquiao’s hotel room.

When it comes to intentionally not seeing each other eyeball to eyeball, the feeling was mutual. No hard feelings between the two adults. 

 

-o0o-

 

While Leonardia was in the ring with Pacquiao, then the world boxing champion, during the official introduction before the start of many championship fights, Puentevella was in the ringside or in the media section as a reporter for Bombo Radyo Philippines.

Leonardia was among the many Philippine politicians who closely tagged along with Pacquiao on and off the square jungle. The others were former Ilocus Sur governor Chavit Singson and Buhay Partylist Rep. Joselito “Lito” Atienza.

Because Puentevella was there as an accredited media representative and sometimes as a Philippine Olympic Committee (POC) executive, he couldn’t be categorized as “among the politicians in Pacquiao’s circle.”

Even before Pacquiao became the toast of Las Vegas boxing community, Puentevella, who had first served as Philippine Sports Commission (PSC) commissioner during the administration of President Fidel V. Ramos, was already known to Pacquiao when the boxer-turned-politician was still a scrawny flyweight oriental and intercontinental champion.

 

-o0o-

 

But in Las Vegas, where Pacquiao became a celebrity, Puentevella visited the ring superstar in his suite either in Mandalay Bay Resort and Casino or in MGM Grand when Leonardia wasn’t around. 

When Pinoy fans in the Philippines and other countries watched Pacquiao’s fights, they would normally see Leonardia beside Pacquiao, not Punetevella, bolstering the presumption that Leonardia “could be closer” to Pacquiao.

Puentevella couldn’t do anything to reverse this popular perception as it’s beyond his control. He was there in Pacquiao’s title bouts, after all, to file a “live” radio report direct to the Philippines, not to compete with anybody for Pacquiao’s attention.

Ditto with Leonardia, who primarily flew from Bacolod to Las Vegas to carry the WBO belt, not to outmuscle or elbow any politician for a slot in Pacquaio’s ring entourage.

In fairness to the two distinguished Negros political leaders, they didn’t attend Pacquiao’s fights abroad with a purpose of displaying their enmity toward each other or telling the world that they were at loggerheads politically. 

 

-o0o-

 

When Pacquiao became inactive in Las Vegas (from 2017 and 2018), Leonardia was seldom seen in Pacquiao’s entourage.  

When Pacquiao unsuccessfully grabbed Yordenis Ugas’ WBA super world welterweight crown in Las Vegas on August 21, 2021, Leonardia wasn’t around; but there was Puentevella (who never climbed the ring).

It also marked the rare occasion when the number of Team Pacquiao entourage had been reduced inside the ring: no more flag bearer and belt carrier (Pacquiao was the challenger that night); no more “eye sores” (those who climbed the ring to position themselves in the back of Pacquiao even if they have no official function other than to get a free exposure and publicity).

When Pacquiao was nominated by PDP-Laban (Pimentel wing) for president in the May 9, 2022 election in Quezon City on September 19, 2021, Puentevella was quoted in the press as Pacquiao’s “spokesman” where he announced that the former 8-time world boxing champion was ripe for the presidency and expressed confidence of Pacquiao’s victory.

Leonardia wasn’t around anew; he hasn’t endorsed his “kumpare” for president as of this writing. 

This time, it’s Puentevella’s show as he finally was able to amass a wide latitude and leverage to “beat” Leonardia for Pacquiao’s attention and companionship.

If Pacquiao will win for president and Puentevella gets a cabinet position, will he also offer a position for his former belt carrier?

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

  

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Feeling genius

 “Nobody really knows what they're doing. Some are just better at pretending like they do.”

—Kumail Nanjiani

 

By Alex P. Vidal

 

THE easiest way for the candidates in the May 9, 2022 Philippine election to attract the voters’ attention during the campaign period is to act naturally and refrain from borrowing the identities of others.

There’s no substitute for being original and natural.

Frankness and being down to earth will certainly give the candidates enormous latitude to gather random admirers and a substantial number of votes.

We must not underestimate the voters’ intelligence and capacity to discern in this TikTok generation.

The dizzying technology plus the advent of social media has enabled some voters to familiarize some candidates and scrutinize their characteristics even before they could shake their hands. 

Not all voters are ignorants or idiots who can be swayed for a piece of P500 or P1,000 bill.

Not all voters can be mesmerized into believing overnight that the candidates possess the I.Q. of Einstein or JFK.

We say act and express naturally and not to impress vigorously because so many candidates at this stage of the election season are already falling into this trap: they wanted to appear like geniuses when they speak even if not necessary.

 

-o0o-

 

We noticed at least two candidates in the presidential race who appeared to have been bitten by the “feeling genius” bug. 

They may not have realized it, but the theatrical performances of Isko Moreno of the Aksyon Demokratiko and Manny Pacquiao of the PDP-Laban in their recent interviews were unimpressive if not a downright disaster.

In their recent separate video or TV appearances, both presidential aspirants displayed strange mannerisms and bizarre body and facial languages we did not see in their past media interviews while driving a point.

They also talked a lot than necessary; they elucidated too much on topic about the economy even without being pressed by the interviewers.  

When they couldn’t organize their words, they explained in staccato and their eyes betrayed the agonizing thoughts trying to piece together missing sentences.

 

-o0o- 

 

The voters, or the audience, not used to knowing Moreno’s and Pacquiao’s “expertise” on the subject matter, could easily spot the chaff from the grain, or which is the puwit ng baso and the genuine diamond.

In other words, it’s scripted—or they (hardly) memorized what he had to say in the interviews.

And they will have to grapple with more interviews, debates, on the spot Q and A matches as the campaign period progresses.

They probably wanted to impress the televiewers that they have cosmic or boundless knowledge about tax reforms and the thorny economic issues nationally and globally, which actually wasn’t necessary if they intended only to be remembered by the voters seven months from now.

The voters are no longer passive and apathetic on this main deformity possessed by many candidates.  

No one would instantly believe they have suddenly become authoritative and scholarly on the issues they laboriously tackled. 

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

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

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)

Dorothy weeps

“You find out who your real friends are when you're involved in a scandal.”

—Elizabeth Taylor

 

By Alex P. Vidal

 

TWO “breaking” news greeted me as I entered Dorothy’s house August 10 noontime in Brooklyn.

The first, not really earthshaking because it’s only me who was actually astounded, was about Errol Spence Jr’s withdrawal from the unified welterweight tussle against Senator Emmanuel “Manny” Pacquiao in Las Vegas on August 21; and second, embattled New York Governor Andrew Cuomo’s resignation, which will take effect after 14 days.

Since most people in the Philippines were already sleeping, I only shared the information about Spence’s exit to selected friends who had followed the Pacquiao-Spence fracas since day one through the Messenger.

As for the Cuomo l'affaire, it was all over the mainstream and social media; the flamboyant governor, accused of sexually harassing 11 women, spoke “live” from the capitol in Albany.

News nowadays travels via satellite across the globe and reaches the farthest enclaves from north to south and east and west like a bullet. 

I could have broadcast the exclusive “double whammies” if I were a full-bore media network correspondent.   

I was inside Dorothy’s house to perform an errand for the day.

 

-o0o-

 

A nitpicking political acolyte, Dorothy, 80, wept when she saw a screaming “Cuomo resigns” clip in one news segment.

“Oh no,” she loudly bemoaned. “I thought he would only apologize and fight.”

She added: “He is a fighter, and I thought after apologizing in this press conference we will move on and continue with the programs that would improve the lives of New Yorkers and fight the pandemic.” 

“We have more important things to do and problems to solve and this governor has been doing an amazing job even before and during the pandemic. This crazy political wrangling must stop. New York move on!”

Dorothy admires Cuomo, who had vaccilated between defiant and defeated before finally realizing he was up against a formidable political army that wanted him out as soon as the report from the Attorney General’s office came out accusing him of sexually harassing the 11 female state employees.

“Have you seen some of the 11 women who accused (Governor) Cuomo of sexual misconduct?” asked Dorothy. “They were all gorgeous. But why didn’t the state hire ugly women? Why did those accusers use their beauty in order to get employment?”

Fuming like a carnival sentinel, Dorothy furthered rued: “I haven’t seen desirable ladies who didn’t use their beauties to gain something.”

 

-o0o-

 

Spence, 31, is officially out of the blockbuster card on August 21 after doctors reportedly found a torn retina in his eye during a pre-fight medical examination.

Yordenis Ugas, 35, the man who will replace him in the 12-round world welterweight championship currently holds the WBA 147 kg crown and represented Cuba in the lightweight division during the 2008 Beijing Olympics where he pocketed a bronze medal.

Ugas, who stands five feet and nine inches, reminds of the lanky but vulnerable Milton McCrory, a welterweight phenom in the 80’s who was blasted into smithereens by the deadly Don “Cobra” Curry also in a WBA, IBF, WBC welterweight unification bout.

I consider the McCrory versus Curry fisticuffs held in Las Vegas on December 6, 1985 to be one of the greatest and the most suspense-filled welterweight rumbles in history.

Curry flattened the once indestructible McCrory in only two rounds with a smashing left hook to the face.

I hope Ugas, who wasn’t yet born at that time, has seen the fight on video.

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