Tag Archives: Manny Pacquiao

Government, International, Law Enforcement, Politics

For First Time Ever, Filipinos Will Not Get To See Pacquiao’s Upcoming Fight On TV

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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.
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.

MANILA, Philippines (The Adobo Chronicles, Manila Bureau) – Every time Filipino boxer Manny Pacquiao fights in the ring, it goes without saying that Filipinos will get to see him and his opponent.  Live. On TV. In the Philippines.

It has been said that each time there is a Pacquiao match, the Philippines comes to a standstill. Traffic becomes unbelievably light, crime rate drops to zero, everyone is glued to television sets, and even the anti-government rebels declare an unofficial ceasefire.

Well, that’s not going to happen when Pacquiao faces Timothy Bradley on April 9 in Las Vegas, Nevada —  his third match with the American welterweight champion.

It has to do with politics and Philippine law.

You see, Pacquiao, an incumbent congressman, is running for a Senate seat in the May 9, 2016 Philippine elections.  By law, candidates running for office must get equal time on television, which means that if shown on TV in the Philippines, the Pacquiao-Bradley fight will put all other Philippine Senate candidates at a disadvantage in terms of television exposure.

A commissioner of the Philippine Commission on Elections has already warned Pacquiao that if his fight is shown on TV in the Philippines, he will have to face serious consequences.

Rowena Guanzon said that Pacquiao will have to refrain from the boxing ring during his campaign for a Senate seat in the coming May 9 elections.

So, instead of dropping from the senatorial race, Pacquiao agreed that his fight will not be shown on Philippine television at all.

Pacquiao fans, however, are urging him to drop his senatorial bid instead so that they can watch his match with Bradley, live on TV, on April 9.

Business, International, LGBT, Politics, Religion, Same-sex Marriage

Manny Pacquiao Aftermath: Filipinos Engage In Nike War

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Original photo from the Internet
Original photo from the Internet

CEBU CITY, Philippines (The Adobo Chronicles, Manila Bureau) – In the Philippines, you are either pro-Manny Pacquiao or anti-Manny Pacquiao, and the conflict has turned to shoes.

Since Nike announced that it was severing its ties with the Filipino champion boxer after his disparaging comments comparing gay men and women to (worse than) animals, Pacquiao fans, bishops, politicians, LGBT advocates and practically people on the street have engaged in what is being called the Nike War.

In Cebu, the Queen City of the South, pro- Pacquiao actvists burned their Nike shoes in protest of the company’s move to fire Pacquiao. In Manila, mall shops selling sports shoes and paraphernalia have reported a sharp increase in Nike sales, apparently from shoppers who agree with Nike’s decision to drop Pacquiao.

Even the  Church has entered the fray, with a Filipino Evangelical bishop criticizing Nike for dropping Pacquiao, saying the megasports brand failed to consider all the heroic accomplishments of the congressman from Sarangani, including his ministry to the poor people. The bishop is calling for Filipinos to boycott Nike.

In the political arena, and unrelated to the Nike controversy,  a senatorial candidate has asked the Philippines’ electoral body, the Commission on Elections (COMELEC) to disqualify Pacquiao from the senatorial race because his upcoming April 9 fight with Timothy Bradley in Las Vegas would result in unfair advantage for the boxer in as far as media exposure is concerned. COMELEC rules provide for equal air time for all candidates.

Meanwhile, ADIDAS is reportedly recruiting sales reps to promote their shoes to take advantage of the ongoing Nike controversy in the Philippines.

In the Philippines, they take not only their boxers, but also their shoes , very seriously.

International, LGBT, Politics, Sports

After Nike, Bill Clinton Drops Manny Pacquiao

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imageCHAPPAQUA, 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.