Manny Pacquiao is not in town, but he's been the topic of showbiz aficionados and sports enthusiasts of late. There's the scrutiny about his chances of winning. And there's also the controversy about the telecast of his upcoming fight with Ricky Hatton. The latter was finally resolved this evening, March 21.
In a statement—which was relayed through his legal counsel, Atty. Franklin Gacal—Pambansang Kamao chose to drop the contract he recently signed with ABS-CBN to honor the "valid and binding" agreements between Solar Sports and MP Promotions.
Here's the message of Manny:
"Ang inyo pong lingkod, si Manny Pacquiao, ay nais iparating sa lahat na matapos ang masusing pag-aaral at pagtimbang-timbang namin ng Solar Entertainment Corporation. Napatunayan na ang kontrata tungkol sa TV rights ng aking mga laban ay valid and binding, at hindi nilabag ninuman.
"Dahil po dito ay taos-puso akong humihingi ng paumanhin, kung kayo man ay naguluhan kung saan ipapalabas ang aking parating na laban kay Ricky Hatton.
"Ito po ay resulta lang ng hindi pagkakaintindihan sa pagitan ng Solar Entertainment Corporation at MP Promotions.
"Sana ay maunawaan ng lahat, at umaasa po ako sa walang tigil niyong pagsuporta at dasal sa lahat ng aking laban.
"Simula sa araw na ito ay nais kong mag-concentrate nang husto na lang sa aking training para sa aking darating na laban ngayong Mayo Dos.
"Maraming salamat at mabuhay po kayong lahat."
Meanwhile, despite the earlier announcements and teaser plugs which were aired, ABS-CBN "respects" Manny's decision.
Here's the statement relayed by Bong Osorio, the corporate communications head of Channel 2:
"Manny Pacquiao approached ABS-CBN to be his media partner in airing his next fights. We thank you 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."
In a phone interview with Cool Center hosts Anjo Yllana and Eugene Domingo were able to get a reaction from GMA-7 via Ms. Wilma Galvante, the senior vice-president for entertainment.
She expressed her happiness over Manny's recent statement, and also assured him that he has the support of the network on his fight, including his ongoing and pending projects with GMA-7.
"We are happy that after long hours of talking, nagkaigihan silang lahat, nagkaintindihan lahat, at si Manny Pacquiao ay mananatiling Kapuso," the lady boss said.