Pacquiao not bothered by disqualification case

Not even the disqualification case filed by a local political party in Sarangani can stop boxing icon Manny Pacquiao from concentrating on his fight with Joshua Clottey of Ghana scheduled next month in Texas.

“I don’t think about it because my lawyers in Manila are taking care of that matter,” said Pacquiao Friday from Los Angeles, where he has been training the last four weeks for the March 13 bout at Cowboys Stadium in Dallas.

“I am focused on my preparation for my next fight,” said Pacquiao, regarded as the world’s best boxer today.

Despite the case, Pacquiao said nothing can deter him from pushing through with his lofty political ambitions.

His wife Jinkee hails from Kiamba town in Sarangani where they also own a house.

“I believe that it is not me but my opponent who should be disqualified,” said Pacquiao, referring to businessman Roy Chiongbian, who will challenge the boxing star for the lone congressional seat in the province.

Last week, the Sarangani Reconciliation and Reformation Organization, which has strong ties with Chiongbian, filed a disqualification case against Pacquiao, who said he has complied with all the residency requirements in Sarangani that will allow him to run for public office.

Pacquiao said it is Chiongbian, whose family is the undisputed political kingpin of Sarangani, who has to be disqualified owing to residency woes, claiming that Chiongbian resides in Metro Manila and whose transfer of residency the boxer has put in question.

The Chiongbians have built an enormous fortune in shipping, agri-business and real estate.

The Comelec had junked Pacquiao’s earlier plea that Chiongbian be disqualified but the fighter’s lawyer, Sixto Brillantes, said his camp has filed a motion for reconsideration.

Brillantes is one of two topnotch lawyers Pacquiao tapped to represent him and handle him in legal matters. Also lending a hand to Pacquiao’s cause is Romulo Makalintal.

Brillantes admits that while the issues being raised by both camps are somewhat trivial, he can’t afford to take it nice and easy what with the spate of rulings by the Comelec disqualifying certain celebrity political aspirants on the issue of residency.

“Kailangan din nating bantayan ang Comelec (We have to keep an eye on the decisions of the Comelec),” said Brillantes.

Source: mb.com.ph