Pacquiao lawyer: Political promise caused transfer row

MANILA, Philippines – Franklin Gacal, Manny Pacquiao’s lawyer, named television reporter Diane Castillejo as the one who brought up the idea that ABS-CBN was interested in getting the rights to air the Pinoy superstar’s upcoming fight against Ricky Hatton.

Gacal, in a press conference held Friday, said it was Castillejo who acted as messenger and convinced Pacquiao to jump from Solar Entertainment Corp. to the giant media network.

“It was Ms. Dianne Castillejo, a sports reporter and TV host of ABS-CBN, who approached [Pacquiao] with the idea that ABS-CBN wants his upcoming fight with Ricky Hatton to be shown and aired on their TV station,” Gacal said in a statement aired on Friday over “24 Oras,” the early evening newscast of GMA Network.

The lawyer also confirmed that ABS-CBN promised to support his client in his 2010 bid for a seat in the House of Representatives if ever he would switch networks.

Not money

Gacal said ABS-CBN’s promise of supporting Pacquiao in the 2010 elections was the reason his client switched media partners.

Money was not the issue, since the document that Pacquiao signed didn’t state how much ABS-CBN would give him once he had granted them the TV rights of airing his fights.

“He was promised political support by ABS-CBN in the 2010 elections,” Gacal said.

He noted that a TV network’s political support could backfire, possibly derailing a candidates campaign.

“It would violate election laws and media should not be used. They should remain neutral,” he said.

Too trusting

Gacal said no member of Pacquiao’s legal team was present when the champ met with ABS-CBN.

“I asked Pacquiao if I could name names,” Gacal said. “He was too trusting, accommodating, and shy to say no. When he signed he was not assisted by his legal counsel.”

Gacal also downplayed ABS-CBN’s claim that they had Pacquiao’s consent when they aired the statement that started the mess.

That video showed Pacquiao announcing that he was rescinding his contract with Solar and that his May 2 (May 3 in Manila) fight against Hatton would be aired by the giant media network.

“Manny agreed to air their interviews where he is inviting his fans to watch his fight,” Gacal said. “The consent on [Pacquiao’s] part is for the second and third airing. He gave no consent on the first one.”

First move

But ABS-CBN Broadcasting Corp. chairman Eugenio Lopez III, in a statement, insisted that it was Pacquiao who made the first move.

ABS-CBN’s official Web site posted its chairman’s statement on the issue:

“ABS-CBN Broadcasting Corp. chairman Eugenio “Gabby” Lopez III encouraged the public to support Manny Pacquiao instead of wallowing in the controversy brought about the boxer’s failed transfer.

“‘Suportahan na lang natin si Manny, he’s a very good boxer and after all, he is a Filipino hero,’” said Lopez during a forum with ABS-CBN employees last Tuesday.

“He said ABS-CBN News has addressed Pacquiao’s situation in an ethical manner and that there was no offer from the network to support the boxer in the upcoming elections.

“‘Ang masasabi ko lang is that we acted in an ethical manner, we did not violate any of the restrictions on the embargo,’” he said. “‘There is no deal on the politics.’

“Lopez also made it clear that it was not the network that initiated the talk. “Hindi tayo ang nagkuha sa kanya. He approached us,’ he said.

“The network said that although it understands GMA-7’s disappointment over Pacquiao’s decision, it warned the rival station from making “thinly veiled accusations” based on a columnist’s speculation.

“It alleges that ABS-CBN’s supremacy in reach is to be used for Manny Pacquiao’s political plans—which is not true, said ABS-CBN.

“ABS-CBN said it thanked Pacquiao for considering the transfer.

“‘We thank him for trusting us. He signed a contract with us, but we will not stand in the way if he decides to change his mind. We respect it, wish him good luck, and we wait to hear from him.’”

Gacal said, however, that this claim was not true.

Closure

Gacal said that if he were to have his way he would not have let Pacquiao answer back. But he said that his client wanted to clarify things so he would not be distracted in his training.

“Manny wants to have a closure with the issue… so he could focus with his training for the Hatton fight,” Gacal said.

GMANews.TV