Manny Pacquiao insists ABS-CBN made the first move

“Apparently, Manny is hurting from the fact that there is a conscious and well-planned grand design to malign him.”

This is how Atty. Franklin Gacal, lawyer of Manny Pacquiao, described the Pinoy boxing icon’s current state following the controversy surrounding the broadcast rights of his upcoming and future fights.

PEP (Philippine Entertainment Portal) obtained a copy of Pacquiao’s statement as relayed by Atty. Gacal to the press earlier today, March 27.

Manny, who is currently in the thick of training in Los Angeles for his May 2 ring date against British slugger Ricky Hatton, reportedly convinced his lawyer to hold a press conference on his behalf to “clarify matters involving the Philippine television rights that saw ABS-CBN, Solar Sports, and GMA-7 in a very unpleasant tug-of-war.”

The issue erupted after it was announced recently that Manny gave ABS-CBN exclusive rights over Solar Sports to air his matches. GMA-7, due to a blocktime agreement with Solar Sports, for the longest time was the designated local network tapped to broadcast Pacquiao’s matches around the country.

Certain contract provisions and legal concerns, however, derailed the supposed network transfer. In a phone-patch interview held last March 23 at the Executive Lounge of GMA Network Center in Quezon City, Manny told the entertainment reporters that the Lopez-owned network disregarded an initial agreement by prematurely announcing the planned transition.

“Ang usapan namin ng kabila [ABS-CBN] ay, sabi ko, ‘Huwag muna tayo maggawa ng footage or video… Suriin ko muna kontrata ng Solar kung may breach of contract at saka tayo maglabas ng ganyang mga videos. And then ang sabi nila sa akin na, ‘Itatago lang namin, hindi namin ipapalabas, gawin mo lang ito para pag sabihin namin sa iyo pag ipalabas namin,” explained Manny Pacquiao.

“At yung mga statement na iyon, actually, hindi naman ako ang gumawa nun. Ang gumawa nun yung mga abogado rin ng ABS-CBN.”

MANNY’S SIDE OF THE STORY. ABS-CBN quickly issued a statement saying that it was Manny who first approached them with the intention of bolting out from Solar Sports.

“Contrary to ABS-CBN’s allegation, Manny Pacquiao was not the one who approached the former for the purpose of transferring the television rights from Solar Sports,” Atty. Gacal announced.

“Manny Pacquiao categorically denies that he approached ABS-CBN in order to transfer the Philippine television rights of his fights which is owned by Solar Sports pursuant to a valid and existing contract dated May 7, 2007. According to Manny Pacquiao, sometime last February before he left for training camp, it was Ms. Dyan Castillejo, a sports reporter, television host of ABS-CBN, who approached him with the idea that ABS-CBN wants his forthcoming fight against Ricky Hatton shown and aired on their TV station.”

Pacquiao’s legal representative also dismissed allegations made by some quarters that Manny was lured to switch networks mainly because of money and other personal agendas. The celebrated boxer was said to be bothered with the possible legal implications of his action and was hoping to come up with a solution that would benefit all the networks involved.

“Contrary to allegations and insinuations that the ‘aborted transfer’ to ABS-CBN is purely motivated by monetary considerations—sometimes, harshly called GREED on the part of Manny Pacquiao—the truth is MONEY was never a main consideration when he entertained ABS-CBN. In fact, the documents he signed did not even stipulate what the full and total financial considerations were to be granted him by ABS-CBN.

“According to Manny Pacquiao, when he was being sweet-talked into transferring the television rights and until he was made to sign the documents prepared by ABS-CBN, they never discussed how much ABS-CBN is willing to pay him for the television rights. I am a witness to this fact.

“For the record, when Manny Pacquiao signed the ABS-CBN documents. I was still in the Philippines. After he informed me of the documents he signed with ABS-CBN, he instructed me to fly immediately to Los Angeles to apprise him of the legal consequences of his actions. On the night of March 18, I was with Manny Pacquiao in his bedroom discussing and looking for a win-win solution to the problem. One solution was for ABS-CBN to buy-out Solar. Of course, Solar also has to agree.

“Manny Pacquiao made a long distance call to Mr. Peter Musngi, ABS-CBN’s VP for Sports. Manny asked him how much ABS-CBN is willing to pay Solar. Mr. Musngi told Manny Pacquiao that he will call back because he doesn’t know the answer. After a few minutes, both gentlemen talked briefly on the phone. That was the only time that Manny Pacquiao learned how much ABS-CBN is willing to pay him and Solar.

“In fact, Manny did not complain as to the amount he will be paid even though it was far below the amount he receives from Solar pursuant to their license agreement contract. This matter was relayed to me for I was tasked to call Solar and get their approval for the buy-out offer of ABS-CBN for the Pacquiao-Hatton television rights. The offer was flatly rejected by Solar.”

ELECTORAL SUPPORT. Manny’s lawyer, however, confirmed reports that the boxer was approached by ABS-CBN in exchange for the network’s support to his campaign in the 2010 elections.

Atty. Gacal said: “He [Manny] admitted to me that yes, there was a discussion on such issue. That he was promised political support on the forthcoming 2010 elections… Hindi ka pwedeng pangakuan o humingi ng political support sa isang television network because there could be a violation of election code and other pertinent laws. I know for a fact that media should be neutral… I have never asked permission from Manny Pacquiao to mention names as far as the political promise is concerned.”

VICTIM, NOT THE CULPRIT. Contrary to current popular perception brought about by the incident, Manny, according to Atty. Gacal, was the “victim and not the culprit.” He attributed the unfortunate incident to Manny’s generosity and innate nature to please people.

BONG GODINEZ
Philippine Entertainment Portal