Priest urges Pinoys to stop betting on Pacman

KORONADAL CITY , Philippines  – A Catholic priest here urged Filipinos to stop betting on the fights of world boxing champion Manny Pacquiao in respect for his putting his life on the line inside the boxing ring.

“They should stop their habit of betting money on every fight of Pacquiao because that is not good. Pacquiao is fighting for the country’s honor,” Fr. Roming Catedral, director of the Social Action Center of the Diocese of Marbel, told The STAR yesterday.

“Some Filipinos are seeing Pacquiao’s fights as an opportunity to gamble and make money out of his pain and blood. They don’t understand the value of inspiration in his fights,” said Catedral, chairman of the Catholic Church’s justice and peace desk office here.

He said Pacquiao is a national treasure and should be afforded “great respect.”

“Placing money bets on his fight is a clear gesture of disrespecting his efforts and courage to bring fame and honor to a small country like ours,” Catedral said.

The priest said it is “very discouraging and painful” to see many Filipinos gamble on whether Pacquiao could beat his opponent, Puerto Rican boxing hero Miguel Cotto, in a few rounds only.

Pacquiao and Cotto will fight today at the MGM Grand Garden Arena in Las Vegas, Nevada.

Catedral said Filipinos instead should view Pacquiao’s fights as an “inspiration” to succeed in life.

“We all know that Pacquiao came from a poor family but because of his determination, he was able to reach his dream to become one of the most famous and richest boxers in the world. His story is indeed an inspiring one,” Catedral said.

The Catholic faithful have already started praying for Pacquiao’s victory today, Catedral added.

AFP will not let guard down

Meanwhile, the Armed Forces of the Philippines (AFP) yesterday said that while they expect zero communist activity today because of the Pacquiao-Cotto fight, frontline troops are still under orders to be vigilant.

“Just like last year, today we are expecting a zero-incident but just the same we are not letting our guard down,” Lt. Col. Romeo Brawner of the Public Information Office (PIO) said.

“Let us unite and support Pacquiao’s fight with Cotto first,” Brawner urged the rebels.

The AFP is also putting wide screens at the AFP General Headquarters’ gymnasium at Camp Aguinaldo and Army gymnasium in Fort Bonifacio and at V. Luna Medical Center to air live the Pacquio-Cotto bout.

Brawner said these would give soldiers and their families a chance to watch the fight for free.

Brawner said AFP chief Gen. Victor Ibrado would watch the fight either at the General Headquarters gym or at V. Luna Hospital with the wounded soldiers confined there.

Meanwhile, outgoing Defense Secretary and administration presidential bet Gilbert Teodoro will also take time out of his busy schedule to watch Pacquiao’s fight.

While he and his running mate Edu Manzano have tickets at the Araneta Coliseum for the live televised bout, Teodoro said he has not yet decided whether he would proceed to Araneta.

“I wish you all the best as I join the Filipino people in praying for your success,” Teodoro said of Pacquiao in a text message sent to The STAR.

Vice President Noli de Castro will watch Pacquiao’s bout live today in Las Vegas.

De Castro, a godfather of Pacquiao’s youngest child, left for Las Vegas last Thursday night.

The Vice President described Pacquiao as a national treasure who brought pride and honor to the country.

Meanwhile, Pangasinenses are in full support of Pacquiao in his match today.           

Photojournalist Willie Lomibao and Pangasinan Gov. Amado Espino Jr. believe Pacquiao will win the fight.

“Manny’s footwork and punches are much quicker,” they said. – With Jaime Laude, Pia Lee-Brago and Cesar Ramirez