SALUD APOLOGIZES TO PACQUIAO
By Tonton Alcos-Antogop
PhilBoxing.com
Sun, 25 Aug 2013
Insisting that he was merely misquoted and taken out of context businessman Rex ?Wakee? Salud apologized to Manny Pacquiao over an earlier report that the world famous boxer is already ?bankrupt?.
?Wa nako?y laing masulti, pasabton nako siya sa sitwasyon nga ug duna gyuy dautan nga gikan kanako mangayo ko niya ug pasaylo (I would not say anything, I will explain to him the situation and if I really did something wrong, I am asking an apology),? Salud told the General Santos City based Radyo Alerto in a live phone patched interview from his Cebu City residence.
He denied ever saying that Pacquiao is already bankrupt belying an earlier report of a Cebu based tabloid quoted him as saying "Di lang kay nahurot-hurot, hurot gyud! (He did not just lose his money, he lost all of it), when asked on the financial status of his friend who is also an elected congressman of Sarangani Province.
The report was entitled ?Nahurot ang Money ni Manny, (the money of Manny are already gone), which stirred various reaction from the public, the media who picked the story, and the adoring fans of boxing?s only eight division world champion who is seeking a comeback in November against Brandon ?Bam-Bam? Rios in Macau, China.
Salud said he would try to see Pacquiao personally and patch things up with the world famous boxer who is already starting his training on his forthcoming fight with Rios on November 24.
Salud clarified he never described Pacquiao to be bankrupt, adding, he was not even aware that what transpired between him and sports reporter Erwin Lirasan of Superbalita-Cebu of the Sunstar group of publications was already an interview since he thought then that what occurred was a casual chat because the reporter has a good rapport with him. He also hinted of filing a suit against the reporter and the publication but as of this writing nothing has been filed in court.
?Wala gyud ko magtuo interview tu, istorya inamigo ba, ingon ana ba, manawag (I did not know that it was already an interview, It was a friendly conversation, a casual call), Salud explained saying further that what he actually told the reporter was that because of the long inactivity, Pacquiao?s finances may have been affected, especially during the May 13 elections where Pacquiao reportedly spent huge amount.
Pacquiao is listed as the richest congressman in the Philippines based on the latest Statement of Assets and Liabilities and Network (SALN) that has been submitted to the Ombudsman prior to the May elections, where Pacquiao was re-elected unopposed. His wife, Jinkee is now the Vice Governor of Sarangani but his younger Ruel did not make it as congressman in General Santos City and three of the towns in South Cotabato.
The Pacquiao couple owns the Pacquiao Group of Companies (PGOC) which included a hotel, buildings, boutiques, coffee shops, a skin care and beauty clinic, among others while their properties includes several mansions (U.S.A, Forbes, Brentville-Laguna, General Santos City, Sarangani) a helicopter, a yacht, vast tract of lands, fleet of high end cars, etc.
The Forbes magazine also listed Manny Pacquiao as among the top earning athletes in the world but was unable to have a fight since December last year after suffering a shocking knockout in the 6th round after being clearly ahead on points on the visibly dazed Juan Manuel Marquez. He also lost to Tim Bradley, earlier, albeit controversial because most sports scribes and spectators who witnessed the fight did not agree to the split decision verdict. An international panel of judges from the World Boxing Organization (WBO) that were commissioned to review the fight video also agreed unanimously that Pacquiao won but the official verdict stayed.
Because of his inactivity, rumors run wild that Pacquiao finances is on the red after a report surfaced that he is selling his Californa mansion for $2.7 million but his top aide, Roger ?Haplas? Fernandez said the property is being sold since it is being used sparingly and that only caretakers are around despite a huge tax that is being paid.
Apart from asking an apology, Salud also swore to his friend that he would refrain in issuing statements to the media to avoid putting Pacquiao in trouble.
?Mas maayo nga ug sa media nga mu-interbyu nako dili na lang ko mutingog, maglikay na lang ko tingali (It would be better that if media would interview me I will not anymore say anything, I would avoid maybe), Salud declares in the radio interview which has been heard all over Socsksargen area that included Sarangani where Pacquiao is serving.
Pacquiao and Salud has been friends for several years, the Cebuano businessman is always part of the entourage called Team Pacquiao of the fighting congressman during his past mega fights which earned him the big bucks.
Photo (L-R): Businessman Wakee Salud, Lawyer and now GenSan councilor Jeng Gacal, Pacquiao and trainer Buboy Fernandez.
Click here to view a list of other articles written by Tonton Alcos-Antogop.
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