CHAPPAQUA, New York (The Adobo Chronicles, Washington Bureau) – Just days after Nike severed its relationship with Filipino champion boxer Manny Pacquiao for his disparaging comments comparing gay men and lesbians to (worse than) animals, former President Bill Clinton has distanced himself from the Filipino congressman who is running for a Senate seat.
The two are known to have a very cordial relationship, but all that is coming to an end.
Clinton said he cannot continue his friendship with Pacquiao because his views on homosexuality and same-sex marriage are contrary to Hillary’s position on the issue.
“Hillary and I cannot jeopardize her election as the next president of the U.S. by continuing our relationship with Pacquiao.
“I wish him the best in his quest to become a Philippine senator, but I have to withdraw my support for him and his senatorial campaign,” Clinton said.
DALLAS, Texas (The Adobo Chronicles, Washington Bureau) – Republican presidential candidate Senator Ted Cruz has found an unusual ally in the Philippines — Senator Grace Poe. Both senators are candidates for president in their respective countries and are facing questions about their citizenship status and their eligibility to run for office.
Poe is facing disqualification cases before the Philippine Supreme Court by virtue of her being a foundling. Her political rivals claim that she is not qualified to run for president because she has not established her being a natural-born citizen.
Cruz, on the other hand, who was born in Canada to a Cuban-Canadian father and American mother is facing the wrath of birther Donald Trump, the frontrunner in the Republication contest for nomination to be the GOP presidential candidate. Trump has threatened to sue Cruz over his non-citizenship candidacy.
The Adobo Chronicles just learned that Cruz is planning to fly to Manila this weekend to personally meet with Poe. While the Cruz campaign has not disclosed the purpose of the meeting, many are speculating that both candidates will discuss strategies to deal with birther and citizenship issues they face in their respective quest for the presidency.
The Adobo Chronicles will follow Cruz as he crosses the Pacific Ocean to meet with Poe. Stay tuned.
June 9, 2012: Reigning WBO welterweight champion Manny Pacquiao (54-2-2, 38 KOs) lost a very controversial twelve round split decision against unbeaten WBO jr welterweight champion Timothy Bradley (29-0, 12 KOs) on Saturday night at the MGM Grand Garden Arena in Las Vegas.
QUEZON CITY, Philippines (The Adobo Chronicles, Manila Bureau) – Exactly one month before Filipino voters will judge him on his bid to become a senator, Manny Pacquiao will be judged inside the boxing ring in Las Vegas. Pacquiao will face Timothy Bradley, Jr., for the third time for the welterweight title.
Bradley defeated Pacquiao in a controversial split decision in 2012, while Pacquiao defeated Bradley in a unanimous decision two years later.
As usual, a big controversy is brewing — not in the boxing ring, but in the Philippine political circus, we mean circuit.
The Philippine Commission on Elections (COMELEC) which oversees the election and campaign process, is reportedly considering to disqualify Pacquiao from the senatorial race because of campaign violations.
COMELEC limits campaign spending and ensures equal opportunity among all candidates in as far as media exposure is concerned. The electoral body accuses Pacquiao of both violations.
“By engaging in a televised fight on April 9, Pacquiao is at a tremendous and unfair advantage over his senatorial rivals because of the media exposure that will resuilt from the match to be held at MGM Grand,” COMELEC Chairman Andres Bautista said.
Bautista added that Pacquiao usually spends millions of dollars whenever he has a fight, especially abroad. Pacquiao is known to charter an entire commercial plane to bring his entourage, media and fans to watch him fight. “That would be in violation of the campaign spending limits,” Bautista said.
The COMELEC said Pacquiao has one of two options: quit the boxing match with Bradley, or quit the senatorial race.
Philippine elections will be held on May 9 this year.
CHAPPAQUA, New York (The Adobo Chronicles, Washington Bureau) – 
The Adobo Chronicles 
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