Pacquiao, bawal lumabas sa Dos!

Author: People's Tonight

INAMIN ng isang source sa People's Tonight na maging ang GMA-7, home studio ng Pinoy world boxing champ na si Manny Pacquiao, nasorpresa sa biglaang desisyon nito na ibigay sa ABS-CBN ang rights sa kanyang mga laban simula sa May 2 bout nila ng Briton na si Ricky Hatton.

Pero, may ideya raw ang network execs na politically-motivated ang hakbang ni Pacman.

Aware raw ang mga taga-GMA sa plano ng muling pagtakbo ni Manny sa pagka-congressman sa 2010.

Isang industry stalwart naman ang nakausap ng Solar boss na si Wilson Tieng nu'ng isang gabi at ayon dito, mukhang maghahabol ito dahil diumano, hanggang 2011 pa ang deal ni Manny sa Solar.

Samantala, sa ipinadalang press statement ng Kapuso Network kahapon, nakasaad na "GMA Network is very disappointed with the reported decision of Manny Pacquiao to transfer from Solar Sports to ABS-CBN the rights to broadcast his fight with Ricky Hatton on May 2 and his other fights.

"We would like to clarify the following points: 1. The existing contract for the airing of Manny Pacquiao's fights in the Philippines is between Pacquiao and Solar Sports and NOT between Pacquiao and GMA Network;

"2. Solar Sports just enters into blocktime agreements with GMA Network for the airing of Manny Pacquiao's fights in the country.

"Ms. Beth Celis, in her column in the Philippine Daily Inquirer last March 18, 2009, said that 'The network (ABS-CBN) is said to have offered Manny full media support in the next election to ensure victory in the next year's congressional elections. '

"GMA Network did not offer the same to Pacquiao because the Omnibus Election Code prohibits television networks from doing so. Section 95 of the code states that 'no contribution for purposes of partisan political activity shall be made directly or indirectly' by grantees of franchises such as television networks.

"It was also reported that Pacquiao favored the other network because of ABS-CBN's dominance in Saranggani and the international presence of their reporters.

"GMA Network's news teams and existing contributors in key areas worldwide adequately cover important events like those of Pacquiao's activities.

"GMA also has a superior signal in General Santos City and environs.

"Aside from his two existing programs, Pinoy Records and Totoy Bato, GMA Entertainment offered projects to Manny as soon as his schedule allows.

"These include his own sitcom, a drama series, concerts in Las Vegas and Los Angeles in the United States and in key cities in Canada and boxing clinics around the Philippines.

"The network may have to review these now in light of the recent developments.

"Moreover, according to GMA's legal counsel, Atty. Dick B. Perez, Manny Pacquiao has a separate contract with GMA Network which prohibits him from appearing on 'any television program, show, promotion or event of any other broadcast media entity other than GMA and its subsidiaries and affiliates without the written consent of GMA. '

"GMA has not given him its consent to appear in ABS-CBN. "

Ang ABS-CBN naman, through corporate PR head Bong Osorio, ay nagsabing: "Kami ay nagagalak sa naging desisyon ni Manny na muling makipagsanib-puwersa sa ABS-CBN kaugnay sa kanyang mga darating na laban kabilang na ang inaabangang paghaharap nila ni Hatton sa May 2.

"Bilang kanyang dating media partner, sinuportahan at patuloy naming tinangkilik ang kampanya ni Manny sa larangan ng boxing upang magdala ng ibayo pang karangalan sa bansa at sa lahat ng Pilipino saan man sa mundo.

"Maligayang pagbabalik sa iyo, Manny, mula sa lahat ng iyong Kapamilya dito sa ABS-CBN. "

Source: People's Tonight